Even with a 23-point third quarter performance from Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers (0-4) were badly outplayed as the visiting Utah Jazz drubbed them Tuesday night 114-80 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Behind Utah forward Gordon Hayward's 13 points, as well forward Derrick Favors' 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Utah improved to a 3-1 record in preseason action.
However, ESPN reports via the Associated Press, there didn't appear to be much concern in the Lakers locker room regarding the blowout loss.
"We didn't execute as well as we should as a whole," said Bryant after the game. "Hopefully we can get Dwight [Howard] out there at some point and play together. The more we do that, the better we're going to be down the road. But in practice, we play quite a bit together. That's the most important thing for us, just to get out and play together."
Bryant, who finished with 31 points for the game, had a dominant third quarter performance, hitting 9 of 11 shots from the field.
New Lakers guard and former two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash-who finished the night with 2 points and 1 assist-put things in perspective after the game, implying that it was more important for the new-look Lakers to build chemistry prior to a grueling 72-game regular season, which starts Oct. 30 for the Lakers against their Western Conference rival Dallas Mavericks.
"It's important to get out there and learn these things," Nash said. "Every day, a lesson is important. ... It's not a great performance by any stretch, but sometimes you learn more from the struggle. I think we'll come in tomorrow with more resolve to improve. We know we've got a lot of room to get better."
Around the League: NBA Preseason Wrap-up for Tues., Oct. 16
Nets 97, Celtics 96
Only three games into their preseason, the Brooklyn Nets (3-0) continue to show their ability to win, even in tight situations.
Brooklyn forward Andray Blatche had another solid performance with 23 points and 9 rebounds and fellow Net Mirza Teletovic made a foul shot with 4.1 remaining in the game as the Nets rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 97-96 at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
Even more impressive was that the Nets played without their key starters, including star point guard Deron Williams, shooting guard Joe Johnson, center Brook Lopez, and starting forwards Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace.
Paul Pierce scored 29 points for the Celtics, who dropped to a 1-4 preseason record, while Boston point guard Rajon Rondo dished out 11 assists.
Bulls 100, Bucks 94
The Chicago Bulls (2-2) handed the Milwaukee Bucks (2-1) their first loss of the preseason as they pulled out a 100-94 win over the Bucks at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
Guard Nate Robinson scored 24 points for Chicago while fellow guard Richard Hamilton tacked on 23 points. For the Bucks, guards Brandon Jennings and Mike Dunleavy put up 13 points, while center Samuel Dalembert also added 13 points of his own.
Except for late in the first quarter, when the Bulls trailed 30-29, Chicago led the way for good after Robinson hit a 35-foot shot just before the buzzer.
Pacers 102, Hawks 98
It was a close call for the Indiana Pacers (2-1), but they overcame a late push from the Atlanta Hawks late in the fourth quarter to pull out a 102-98 win at home at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
Pacers guard Paul George led all scorers with 20 points and teammate center Roy Hibbert posted 16 points and 11 rebounds. Hawks forward Anthony Tolliver scored 14 points for Atlanta while fellow Hawk forward Kyle Korver had 13 points.
Pistons 112, Magic 86
It hasn't gotten any easier for the Orlando Magic (0-4) still win-less in the preseason after a 112-86 blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons (2-2) at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Mich.
Despite a narrow three point lead by Detroit after the first quarter, the Pistons revved up and pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring Orlando 35-14 and never looking back.
Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points and Detroit forward Greg Monroe chipped in with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Rookie guard DeQuan Jones scored 22 points to lead the injury-riddled Magic, who were playing without five players including guard Arron Affalo (strained left hamstring) and forward Al Harrington (right knee rehabilitation).
Thunder 120, Bobcats 98
Despite sitting three key players with injuries, the defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2) looked impressive in their first preseason home game, beating the Charlotte Bobcats (1-3) 120-98 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla.
While Thunder starters Kendrick Perkins (left wrist surgery) and Thabo Sefolosha (left quad contusion) and Sixth Man of the Year James Harden (strained left groin) did not play, Oklahoma City guard Andy Rautins picked up the slack with 20 points while teammate center Serge Ibaka added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Bobcats guard Ben Gordon scored 21 points while guard Ramon Sessions posted 18 points for Charlotte.
Timberwolves 114, Haifi 81
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love scored 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the Wolves (3-1) to a 114-81 victory over Israeli basketball squad Maccabi Haifa at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Pat Calathes scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Haifa.
For more box scores and preseason schedules for each team, visit the NBA's web site.
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