Bad Shooting Costs Lakers in Loss to Golden State

The Lakers’ futility during a 146-116 exhibition loss to the Golden State Warriors Wednesday before 11,064 at the San Diego Sports Arena was neatly packaged into one sequence near the end of the third quarter.

With just under four minutes remaining, Warrior point guard Tim Hardaway stole the ball from Magic Johnson, drove downcourt, was fouled by Elden Campbell and somehow managed to make an off-balance shot from about five feet out.

Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy thought Hardaway traveled before shooting and protested enough to draw a technical foul. Chris Mullin made that, and then Hardaway came back to make his free throw.

Steal, shot, technical, free throws. The Warriors led, 95-72, with 3:51 left in the third quarter.

And that was how the Lakers spent their evening before a pro-Laker turnout: A lot of frustration, not nearly enough points.

The Lakers (3-2 against NBA competition) have yet to make 50% of their field goal attempts in any of their six exhibitions, including a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Wednesday, they shot only 44%.

Johnson, who missed Monday’s practice, and James Worthy, who sat out Tuesday’s, each played much of the first three quarters. Johnson finished with 27 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Worthy finished with 14.

Sarunas Marciulionis led the Warriors with 29.

Hardaway, Johnson’s man most of the time, broke free for 11 points and three assists in the first quarter as the Warriors (3-2) built a 35-28 lead.

They increased that to 66-51 by halftime.