Lakers fail to stop John Wall, Wizards in loss, 116-111

Washington Wizards 116 - Lakers 111 (end of regulation)

The Lakers had a chance to beat the Washington Wizards on the road but fell short in the final two minutes.

Pau Gasol put the Lakers up 108-107 with 1:54 left on the clock. After a John Wall jumper, the Lakers turned the ball over twice -- allowing the Wizards to take a 113-108 lead with 28.9 seconds left.

Gasol converted a three-point play with 24.5 seconds left to put the Lakers within two. Wall split a pair of free throws with 18.1 seconds to give the Lakers lift, down three.

Nick Young missed a three-point attempt with 18.1 seconds left to tie and the Wizards closed out the final seconds to improve their record to 6-8.

The Lakers fall below .500 once again at 7-8.

John Wall led all scorers with 31 points. Nene had a career high with 30. Martell Webster also contributed 20 as the Wizards shot 52.9% from the field.

Jordan Farmar scored 22 points on just 15 shot attempts (12 makes) along with eight assists and a single turnover. The Lakers turned the ball over 17 times while getting beaten 42-34 on the boards.

Seven Lakers scored in double figures including Gasol (17), Young (16), Steve Blake (15), Wesley Johnson (11), Jodie Meeks (10), Jordan Hill (10) and Farmar.

Offense wasn’t the issue for the Lakers, shooting 53% from the field and 46.4% from three-point range. It was the team’s defense, coupled with turnovers, that led to defeat.

Washington, aggressively attacking the basket off the dribble, took 22 free throws to the Lakers’ 13.

The Lakers travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Wednesday. The Wizards visit the Milwaukee Bucks, also on Wednesday.

Wizards 82 - Lakers 77 (end of third quarter)

Turnovers (14) were a problem for the Lakers through three quarters, helping the Wizards extend their lead to five heading into the fourth quarter.

Pau Gasol (five) and Jordan Hill (three) nearly matched Washington’s nine for the game.

Nene led all scorers with 25 points as the Wizards shot 51.5% from the field.

Steve Blake scored 15 for the Lakers, who also shot well at 51.6%.

Wizards 59 - Lakers 55 (halftime)

The Wizards survived a rally from the Lakers to close out the half up by four point.

Nene dominated with 19 points in just over 20 minutes. John Wall scored 12 as the Wizards shot 59.1% from the field.

The Lakers got 11 points off the bench from Jordan Farmar on five shots without a miss. Starters Pau Gasol, Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks each had eight as the Lakers shot 57.5% from the field.

Washington hurt the Lakers on the boards with a 22-10 advantage. The Lakers converted eight three pointers (in 13 tries, 61.5%) to stay close to the Wizards.

Wizards 31 - Lakers 29 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers hit six three-pointers in the first quarter but still trailed the Wizards by two in Washington.

Nene led all scorers with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting. The Wizards hit 72.2% from the field goal attempts.

Jordan Farmar contributed seven off the bench, making all three of his shot attempts.

The Lakers hit 52.4% from the field and 66.7% from three-point range (6-9).

Pregame

The Lakers (7-7) visit the Washington Wizards (5-8) on Tuesday night.

After winning three straight, the Lakers have a chance to improve upon their 1-4 road record.

The Wizards will be a difficult challenge, although they’ll play without leading scorer Bradley Beal, who is out with a leg injury.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Wizards.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.