The Lakers looked to get back on the winning track as the faced up against the Charlotte Bobcats at Staples Center. Here’s the game recap.
First Quarter
While Pau Gasol got the game off with a basket, both teams struggled to shoot on the offensive end. The Lakers didn’t start having some success getting easy baskets until the second unit came in and pushed the pace. After making only one of their first eight field goal attempts, the Lakers went five of their next six to cement a lead. The Bobcats attacked the interior early, and scored most of their points inside the paint. As a result, the Lakers trailed at the end of the first quarter.
Score: Lakers trail 31-27.
Second Quarter
The Lakers second unit failed to defend in the early part of the second quarter, as they fell behind by 12 points. The Bobcats were consistently getting to the basket, and as a result they were able to force the Lakers defense to collapse. The lack of consistent rotations and communication led to more points given up. On the offensive end they continued to struggle with shooting. The Lakers finally got some life when Nick Young came into the game and got hot from behind the arc, but that still wouldn’t prove to be enough as they failed to close the half.
Score: Lakers trail 62-49.
Third Quarter
The Lakers traded baskets with the Bobcats for the first four minutes of the second half, as they failed to put a dint into the 13 point deficit at the half. Toward the midpoint of the quarter the Bobcats began to pull away from the Lakers, stretching their lead to 20 points. They seemed like the more desperate team, as they hustled for loose balls, crashed the boards, and made a consistent effort to get out in transition and run. Al Jefferson had a field day against the Lakers, and had surpassed 20 points and 10 rebounds by the end of the third quarter.
Score: Lakers trail 86-74
Fourth Quarter
The Lakers closed the lead to eight points early in the fourth quarter, as the second unit found a way to fight back and compete. A unit of Kendall Marshall, Manny Harris, Nick Young, Ryan Kelly, and Robert Sacre would quickly turned things around as they played with the effort and energy that was lacking earlier in tonights game. Despite that, the Bobcats still found a way to weather the storm and maintain their lead. A career night from Al Jefferson would put the nail in the coffin, as the Lakers failed to get a victory for the sixth consecutive game.
Final Score: Lakers lose 110-100
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