The NBA meeting with Portland began with a memorial ceremony for Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the other seven who perished in the helicopter crash.

During the warm-up, the team's players wore jersey numbers 8 and 24, the numbers that Kobe Bryant wore during his 20 years on the team. Then the arena was turned off and the fans scanned "Kobe, Kobe" to the lights from their mobile phones.

Then Usher sang a version of "Amazing Grace," cellist Ben Hong played "Hallelujah," and Boyz II Men sang the US national anthem.

The match against Portland is ongoing. The Lakers are down by 96-106 after three periods played.

VIDEO: Kobe Bryant's death crash - this has happened

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Kobe Bryant's death crash - this has happened