Preview: Lakers at Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats (10-13) won only 21 games last season but with former Lakers assistant Steve Clifford as head coach, the Bobcats have emerged this season as one of the better defensive teams in the NBA.

The Lakers (10-12) visit Charlotte on Saturday night, playing their second game in as many nights. They’ll need a strong performance to avoid a four-game losing streak.

Kobe Bryant will once again start at point guard as the Lakers struggle through injuries to Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Steve Nash (back).

Key matchup

The Bobcats are not a good shooting team, converting only 29.3% of their three-point attempts.

Point guard Kemba Walker averages 16.8 points a game but shoots just 38.4% from the field.

Kobe Bryant and/or Jodie Meeks will need to make sure Walker doesn’t use his speed and quickness to break down the Lakers’ defense.

Bryant made his first start of the season at point guard on Friday (his third game back from Achilles’ tendon surgery), dishing 13 assists in 23 minutes, although he turned the ball over seven times and scored only four points.

If Bryant can get his turnovers under control and find a balance between his own shot and setting up his teammates, the Lakers should be more competitive against the Bobcats than they were in a 122-97 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

X-factor

Al Jefferson is a true, low-post big man. Formerly with the Utah Jazz, Jefferson has missed nine games this season because of injury.

In 14 games, Jefferson is averaging 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. His field-goal percentage (44.6%) has been lower than his career average (49.8%) as he works himself back into shape.

The Lakers are looking for more accuracy from Pau Gasol, who is shooting only 42.3% from the field while averaging 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds a game.

Strong performances from either big man could have a significant sway on the game’s final outcome.

Outlook

If there’s a game for the Lakers to win on their four-game road trip (Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Atlanta and Memphis), it’s Saturday night against the Bobcats.

Playing on the second night of back-to-back games will be a true test for Bryant, who is still looking to find his legs after eight months off.

The Bobcats are tough defensively, but if the Lakers can find some scoring depth, Charlotte might not be able to match the Lakers’ firepower.

ALSO:

Thunder coasts to 122-97 victory over Lakers

Mike D’Antoni doesn’t want to hear complaints from Pau Gasol

D’Antoni jokes about Bryant at point guard, then sympathizes with him

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.