CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ For the second game in as many nights, the Charlotte Hornets looked defenseless against dribble-penetration.
Friday night, it was the Chicago Bulls scoring 56 points in the lane. Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers amassed another 56 in the paint in a 110-99 victory at Spectrum Center. The Lakers shot 51 percent from the field.
Between injuries and heavy minutes for the starters in Friday's overtime loss, the Hornets were diminished Saturday. But they lost at home again to one of the NBA's weaker teams. The Lakers are 10-15 and in the second of a four-game East Coast trip.
Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 22 for the Lakers. Their fans took over the arena late in the game, chanting "Let's Go, Lakers!"
The Hornets have now lost three in a row _ all at home _ and seven of their last eight, to fall to 9-16. They play their next two on the road at Oklahoma City and Houston.
Hornets center Dwight Howard followed up a 25-point, 20-rebound performance against the Bulls with 21 points and 12 rebounds Saturday. Point guard Kemba Walker finished with 23 points.
Brandon Ingram led the Lakers with 18 points and six rebounds.
