CHICAGO (AP) — The struggling Los Angeles Lakers have juggled their starting lineup, moving forward Pau Gasol to a reserve role and replacing him with Earl Clark.
Coach Mike D’Antoni made the move before Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, hoping a quicker lineup would spark a team that had dropped eight of 10. It comes after Gasol scored 25 points in Sunday’s loss at Toronto.
D’Antoni says he spoke to Gasol and that it’s nothing “against him, it’s better for us right now.”
At 17-23 at the start of the day, the Lakers have been a major disappointment. They’ve been hit hard by injuries and switched coaches, with D’Antoni replacing Mike Brown.
Gasol is averaging 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. Clark is averaging five points.
