Lakers can’t handle Al Jefferson and the Bobcats in 110-100 loss

Al Jefferson simply dominated the Lakers on Friday night, scoring 40 points while taking 18 rebounds to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 110-100 victory at Staples Center.

The 6-foot-10 center shot 18 of 32 from the field in 38 minutes, scoring only four of his points at the free-throw line.

Guard Gerald Henderson added 20 points for the Bobcats, who shot 52.3% from the field.

The Lakers were led by Pau Gasol with 24 points and nine rebounds. Guard Nick Young contributed 21 off the bench but struggled from the field, hitting eight of 22 shots.

As a team, the Lakers shot only 38.7% from the field.

Guard Jodie Meeks chipped in 19 points while point guard Kendall Marshall notched another double-double in defeat with 10 points and 12 assists. Rookie forward Ryan Kelly scored 13.

The Bobcats played with four former Lakers: Josh McRoberts, Ramon Sessions, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Jannero Pargo. Sessions, starting at point guard for Kemba Walker (ankle), scored nine points and had 13 assists.

With their sixth straight loss, the Lakers fall to 16-31. The team will rest over the weekend before visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves (23-23) on Tuesday.

The Bobcats (21-27) travel to Phoenix to play the Suns (28-18) on Saturday.

Bobcats 86, Lakers 74 (end of third quarter)

The Bobcats pushed their lead to 20 points before a late Lakers’ rally closed the gap to 12.

Rookie forward Ryan Kelly converted a four-point play with 11.5 seconds left in the quarter and has 11 points in the game. Guard Jodie Meeks leads the Lakers, who shot 37.9% from the field, with 17 points.

The Bobcats were led by center Al Jefferson with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Charlotte shot 50% from the field and had a 41-29 rebounding advantage over the Lakers.

Nick Young also scored 15 points off the bench for the Lakers.

Bobcats 62, Lakers 49 (halftime)

The Lakers managed to whittle down a double-digit deficit in the second quarter, but it didn’t last.

The Bobcats shot 58.1% from the field with 31 points in each quarter to head into halftime with a 13-point lead.

Al Jefferson scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Gerald Henderson contributed 12 points and former Lakers guard Jannero Pargo chipped in nine off the bench.

The Lakers were led by reserve Nick Young with 15 points. Pau Gasol scored 12 but the Lakers shot just 41.9% from the field and were outrebounded, 20-13.

Bobcats 31, Lakers 27 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers haven’t played well on the defensive end in January. On Friday night, the Bobcats shot 56.5% from the field to take a four-point lead after one quarter at Staples Center.

Al Jefferson scored 11 points to lead Charlotte. Pau Gasol had eight for the Lakers.

Jodie Meeks chipped in seven points for the Lakers, who shot only 38.1% from the field.

They were also outrebounded, 14-8.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-30) host the Charlotte Bobcats (20-27) on Friday night at Staples Center.

Charlotte is trying to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the ninth-place New York Knicks (19-27) surging below.

The Lakers have lost five in a row, continuing to play without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

The Bobcats will play without dynamic young point guard Kemba Walker, who is out with a sprained ankle.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Charlotte Bobcats.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.