The Hornets are heading home for their next two games and five of their next seven, and that's exactly where they need to be. Their 110-99 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday night in the Staples Center left them 0-2 on their brief trip to California -- they also lost at Sacramento 112-96 on Sunday night. They have lost their last five road games and are 1-9 on the road this season, the second-worst such mark in the NBA, better than only the 0-11 road record of the winless Nets. Four other teams had just one road win after Tuesday's games, but each had fewer losses and thus a higher winning percentage -- Charlotte (1-7), Minnesota (1-7), Sacramento (1-6), and San Antonio (1-4).
The Hornets' loss Tuesday night was their second against the Lakers in the Staples Center this season. The first was a 104-88 loss setback Nov. 8. That came one day before New Orleans' only road win of the season -- a 112-84 triumph over the Clippers in the Staples Center.
The Hornets, 7-11 overall, play host to the Timberwolves on Friday and the Kings on Tuesday. After a road game against the Timberwolves on Dec. 9, they play host to the Knicks on Dec. 11
A road game against the Mavericks on Dec. 14 precedes home games against the Pistons on Dec. 16 and the Nuggets on Dec. 18. The Hornets are 6-2 in the New Orleans Arena and have won their last four games there.
LAKERS 110, HORNETS 99: The Lakers held the Hornets to just 15 second-quarter points as they turned a four-point lead after one quarter into a 20-point lead at halftime and coasted to victory. The Hornets' defense was a major problem for the second consecutive game as they allowed the Lakers to shoot 52.1 percent from the floor after the Kings shot 53.7 percent in a 112-96 victory Sunday night. Seven Lakers scored seven or more points.
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