Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 27 points on Friday night, as the Los Angeles Lakers got the post-Mike Brown era off on the right foot with a resounding 101-77 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center.

Brown was fired earlier on Friday in the wake of a dismal 1-4 start for a team which many national pundits pegged as the favorites to win the Western Conference.

Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff coached Los Angeles to victory on Friday, but the team announced the search for a permanent replacement would begin immediately, with former Lakers coach Phil Jackson and former Knicks bench boss Mike D'Antoni emerging as the frontrunners.

On the court, Bryant added nine rebounds and seven assists, while Pau Gasol recorded a double-double with 14 points and 16 boards to help the Lakers earn their fifth consecutive victory over the Warriors.

Stephen Curry paced Golden State with 18 points and five assists and Klay Thompson chipped in 15 points for the Warriors, who have alternated wins and losses through the first six games.

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