The Lakers have now lost six games in a row and, according to ESPN's Arash Markazi, dropped 12 games in a single month for the first time since 1964.
Matched up against the league's No. 28-ranked offense, the Lakers allowed the Bobcats to walk all over their ragged defense. Charlotte scored 31 points in both the first and second quarters, which set the tone for a wire-to-wire thrashing.
On a night when the Lakers allowed the Bobcats to shoot 52 percent from the field, the Purple and Gold countered by knocking down 30 percent of their looks, including 23 percent of their threes.
"They just weren't ready to play, for whatever reason," head coach Mike D'Antoni said of his troops, according to Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding.
Al Jefferson was dominant in 39 minutes, tying a career high with 40 points (18-of-32 shooting) while pulling down 18 rebounds. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 24 points and nine boards.
Key Players
Pau Gasol, Center
No surprise here: Gasol was the center of all things offense for the Lakers against the Bobcats and operated as the focal point to the tune of 24 points (9-of-17 shooting) as well as nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
And by scoring 24 points, Gasol has now dropped at least 20 points in 10 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 14.
Early returns from Gasol were promising, as the Spaniard scored 12 first-half points on 5-of-8 shooting and was one of two Lakers players to finish the opening 24 minutes in double figures, but that was as good as things would get.
Defending the extremely efficient Jefferson was a whole different story entirely.
Desp...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
