CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Stephen Jackson scored 21 points, Gerald Wallace added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats handed the weary Los Angeles Lakers their second straight loss, 98-83 on Friday night.
With Michael Jordan watching courtside in Charlotte’s first win since he agreed to buy the team, the Bobcats continued their surprising success against the defending champions, who had little energy a night after an overtime loss in Miami.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting for the Lakers, who shot 36 percent, committed 20 turnovers and lost to Charlotte for the seventh time in nine meetings.
Wallace hit two 3-pointers in a 16-1 run bridging halftime that put Charlotte ahead 61-44. The Lakers got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
