The Observer News Enterprise is live at Time Warner Cable Arena for an NBA match up between the Charlotte Bobcats (11-37) and the Los Angeles Lakers (23-27).
The Bobcats have lost their last five games — all on the road — including defeats at Chicago (93-85), at San Antonio (102-78), at Houston (109-95), at Miami (99-94) and at Cleveland (122-95).
The Lakers are on a one-game losing streak, coming off a 116-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
Starting line ups
Charlotte
G Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
G Byron Mullens
C Bismack Biyombo
F Gerald Henderson
F Kemba Walker
Los Angeles Lakers
G Metta World Peace
G Earl Clark
C Dwight Howard
F Kobe Bryant
F Steve Nash
Inactives
Charlotte
None
Los Angeles Lakers
Paul Gasol (torn plantar fascia in root foot), Jordan Hill (left hip surgery)
Game coverage
First quarter
At the first timeout in the game with 5:53 left in the first quarter, Charlotte leads Los Angeles, 11-9. Kemba Walker with four points for the Bobcats. Dwight Howard with four points for L.A.
Bobcats go on a 9-0 run after the break, finished with a Kemba Walker lob dunk to Byron Mullens. Lakers call timeout with 3:10 left in the first quarter trailing 20-9. L.A. shooting 28.6 percent from the field (4-for-14).
Bobcats come out and put up 30 points on the Lakers to take a 30-20 lead after one quarter. Byron Mullens with nine points to lead Charlotte, while Kemba Walker is just behind with eight points and five assists. Jodie Meeks leading L.A. with six points.
LIGHTS OUT: During the quarter intermission, the Bobcats turn all of the lights out, making fun of the recent lighting issue at Super Bowl XLVII, to promote season ticket sales.
Second quarter
Lakers cut lead down to six points, 35-29, with 8:51 left in the first half. Dwight Howard leading the charges with nine points and three rebounds for the Lakers.
Another TV timeout at the 5:53 mark. The Bobcats are up 39-30. Kobe Bryant struggling for L.A. He has no points on two missed shots in just under 13 minutes on the court.
Bobcats extend lead again. They lead 48-35 with 2:43 left in the first half. Byron Mullens with 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Charlotte.
Charlotte leads 53-41 at halftime. Byron Mullens with 14 points and sven boards to lead Charlotte. Kemba Walker adds 11 points and five rebounds and three assists. Kobe Bryant is 0-2 from the field with five rebounds and two assists. Dwight Howard with 12 points and eight rebounds to pace the Lakers.
INTERESTING TIDBIT: Kobe Bryant is scoreless in the first half against the Charlotte Bobcats tonight. The last time Kobe was scoreless in the first half of a game was March 31, 2012 in the playoffs against the New Orleans Hornets. He eventually scored 11 points in that game, including the game-winning shot, lifting L.A. to a 88-85 victory.
HALFTIME: CHARLOTTE 53, L.A. LAKERS 41
Third quarter
Bobcats extend lead to 19 points with 9:01 left in the third quarter. Charlotte leads Los Angeles, 64-45.
IT JUST WON'T FALL: The Lakers aren't the only entity struggling to shoot the ball in Time Warner Cable Arena. During a shooting contest during the last break, a fan was heckled for not being able to make routine jumper. Poor guy!
Kobe Bryant makes his first field goal at the 8:48 mark of the third quarter.
A 9-0 run by the Lakers cuts their deficit to 71-60 with 3:36 left in the third quarter.
At the end of the three quarters, the Bobcats lead the Lakers 78-69. Byron Mullens already with a double double for Charlotte with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Earl Clark leads L.A. with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Fourth quarter
Gerald Wallace a nice block on Jodie Meeks to start the fourth quarter, but Dwight Howard answers with a vicious return of Kemba Walker's lay up.
Charlotte leads 81-75 with 8:32 left in the fourth quarter. Charlotte's Mullens (20 points) and L.A.'s Earl Clark (17 points) are still the high men for their teams.
The Lakers call a timeout with 6:51 left in the game and trailing 83-77. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Earl Clark re-entering the floor for L.A.
Bryant starting to turn it on, making a three and a lay up on back-to-back Laker possessions after coming back into the game. Charlotte's lead, which was once 19, is down to a mere point.
Antawn Jamison's lay up at the 4:47 mark of the fourth quarter gives the Lakers their first lead since 2-0 to start the game.
Both teams trading blows late like a heavyweight title fight. Looks like whoever throws the last punch may be the team that comes away victorious. Lakers call timeout with 3:18 left in the game. Charlotte leads 91-89.