Lakers lacking on defense, lose to Sacramento, 132-114
Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein, left, stops the drive of Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle during the first quarter on Friday.
Reporting from Sacramento — The Lakers declined to play much defense -- OK, it seemed like any at all -- in a 132-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings, another early sign that things aren’t progressing as quickly as the Lakers hoped.
Jordan Clarkson had 22 points, the beginning and end of the good news Friday for the Lakers.
DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo each had 21 points for the Kings, who had 74 points at halftime and cruised from there at Sleep Train Arena.
The Lakers gave up a ton of points in the paint, were crushed on the fastbreak again and again, and seemed nonchalant at best without the ball.
Rudy Gay had 19 points for Sacramento, slipping behind the Lakers’ defense for an emblematic second-half dunk, and rookie Willie Cauley-Stein added 17 points.
The Lakers gave up 112 points to Minnesota in Wednesday’s opener, and it’s scary to think what will happen when they play Golden State or Oklahoma City.
Kobe Bryant had 13 points in 22 minutes, again struggling from long distance by making one of eight three-point attempts.
Julius Randle had more fouls (five) and turnovers (five) than points (three) and rebounds (two). D’Angelo Russell had 13 points, five coming late in the game.
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