Wizards Throw L.A. Back

The latest lesson of the Lakers, version 2004-05: Stunning victories can just as easily be followed by similarly striking losses.

Coming off their biggest achievement of the season, a 16-point dominance of Sacramento, the Lakers turned back into the team that can’t string together too many victories, can’t always be counted on for stellar defense, and yet again, can’t quite cobble together an identity.

Added up, it led to a Laker home loss against Washington for the first time in 12 years, a 120-116 overtime setback to the Wizards on Friday in front of 18,212 at Staples Center.

The Lakers were delayed by fog Thursday night in Sacramento and then played at times as if they were still in one. They stepped off their charter flight at close to 2 a.m. Friday, skipped the morning shoot-around and weren’t nearly as sharp as they had been 24 hours earlier in knocking off the Kings.

Kobe Bryant had 36 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, enough for his third triple-double in the last six games, but the Lakers couldn’t offset the Wizards’ offense, one of the league’s best at almost 101 points a game before Friday.

“It’s part of the growth process,” Bryant said. “The inconsistency shows in our growth. We’ll get to the point where we start playing more consistently like we did [on Thursday] night.”

Laker point guard Chucky Atkins had 23 points, but the Lakers’ backcourt was blistered by Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes, who had 37 and 33 points, respectively.

“Doing it the same way and not making adjustments, were talking about that,” Laker Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “Somebody’s just got to take charge and say, ‘I’m sliding across the lane. They’ve got to pass it to someone else.’ ”

The Wizards, wearing their throwback “Bullet” uniforms, scored eight of the first 10 points in overtime and outscored the Lakers, 16-12, in the extra five minutes.

With the Lakers down, 114-113, Anthony Peeler, a part of their past, made a three-point shot over Atkins with 11.1 seconds left. Bryant answered with a three-pointer with 8.4 seconds left, but Hughes made two free throws.

The Wizards fouled Bryant in the backcourt with 4.4 seconds left. Bryant missed the first free throw and was called for a lane violation after he intentionally missed the second one.

Peeler was drafted by the Lakers in 1992 and traded in 1996 to help clear salary-cap space so the Lakers could sign Shaquille O’Neal. Peeler has been with four other teams in his career.

The Wizards, typically Eastern Conference bottom-dwellers, have been more plus than minus this season, leading the league in turnovers forced and delivering on the offensive end with the league’s highest-scoring trio -- Arenas, Hughes and Antawn Jamison, who had 22 points Friday.

“I can see why they’ve had some success,” Tomjanovich said. “They steal the ball. I think they’ve caused the most turnovers in the league. Plus they’ve got three big scorers.”

The Wizards’ backcourt caused problems for the Lakers in the first half, Hughes and Arenas combining for 34 points and keeping Washington within range. The halftime score: 54-54.

Bryant missed all four of his shots in the third quarter and the Lakers trailed going into the fourth, 83-79.

With the score tied at 104-104, the Lakers had a chance to take a late lead, but Caron Butler’s three-point attempt from the corner was short, bouncing off the side of the rim with 22.9 seconds left to play.

Arenas’ jump shot at the buzzer was also short, sending the game to overtime.

Laker center Chris Mihm, averaging 11.4 points, took only one shot and was held scoreless.

The Lakers hadn’t lost at home against Washington since a 108-92 loss in February 1992.

“Our defense just wasn’t right tonight,” Atkins said. “We just need to get better. It just isn’t right.”

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Triple Threat

Kobe Bryant posted his league-leading fourth triple-double in Friday’s loss to the Washington Wizards.

*--* DATE OPPONENT PTS REB AST Dec. 17 Washington 36 10 14 Dec. 8 Phoenix 20 14 11 Dec. 3 Golden State 10 12 10 Nov. 19 at Phoenix 29 11 10

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