Ex-Laker helps Clippers lose

Vladimir Radmanovic, buried on the bench with the Lakers, scored 13 points and made three fourth-quarter three-point shots in his Charlotte debut Monday night, helping turn a close game into a rout in the Bobcats’ 94-73 win over the road-weary Clippers.

Zach Randolph had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 17 for the Clippers, who fizzled in the fourth quarter in the finale of a seven-game trip.

“The last game of a trip, I’ve been around a long time, I know how these games can be tough,” center Marcus Camby said. “Especially right before the All-Star break, you tend to lose a little focus. Your mind is elsewhere.”

The Clippers had lost 11 straight on the road before Randolph combined for 60 points in consecutive blowout wins over Memphis and Atlanta. But the Clippers were outscored 27-12 in the fourth quarter, with Randolph getting little help.

Al Thornton shot three for 13, Camby three for eight and Baron Davis one for seven in his return to Charlotte, where he began his NBA career with the Hornets.

“We didn’t attack and play at the level we’ve been playing at the last two games,” Davis said. “I thought our offense got complacent and stagnant.”

And the Clippers couldn’t take advantage of a team forced to use odd lineups compounded by the absence of forward Juwan Howard, whose sore toe flared up following Sunday’s loss to Miami.

Charlotte Coach Larry Brown started DeSagana Diop at center and moved Emeka Okafor to power forward. Radmanovic, who wasn’t sure he’d play before the game, checked in late in the first quarter and initially appeared lost.

“Another guy who can hit shots,” point guard Raymond Felton said. “That’s going to help our offense, no question.”

Okafor had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Bobcats, who were missing starters Gerald Wallace (rib, lung) and Raja Bell (groin).

“It was definitely nice to be out there and help my team win,” said Radmanovic, who had fallen out of favor with Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. “Luckily, I got back into rhythm in the second half.”