LOS ANGELES-So much for a renewed focus for the Hawks after the All-Star break.
The start of the post-break schedule looked a lot like the days prior to the weekend. The Lakers pummeled the Hawks 104-80 at the Staples Center on Tuesday, sending the Hawks to their fourth loss in their last five games.
Three of those Atlanta defeats were by at least 15 points, and it doesn't get any easier. The Hawks' continue their season-long seven-game road trip at Phoenix Wednesday night before playing at Golden State on Friday, Portland on Sunday and Denver on Monday.
The Lakers (39-19) provided the Hawks (34-22) a chance to prove their mettle against the two-time defending NBA champs. Atlanta instead posted a no show against the Lake Show.
"We didn't play with an edge; we gave them too much respect," Hawks guard Joe Johnson said. "We didn't have that fire, that competitive nature that we need. It's frustrating, man. I don't know what to do."
The Lakers had caused worry among their demanding fan base by losing three consecutive games before the break. Atlanta's lax defense and disjointed offense were just what they needed to get on track.
The Lakers raced out to an 8-0 lead, were up 28-15 after a quarter and enjoyed a double-digit advantage for the final 29 minutes of the game.
"They took over," Hawks center Al Horford said. "They dominated both ends. We really have some soul-searching to do as a team. It's discouraging. We had a great practice yesterday, and to come out like that, it's frustrating."
The Hawks labored to score and couldn't slow the Lakers, a formula that led to their fifth loss of at least 20 points this season.
Atlanta, slow-footed on defense, scrambled as the Lakers crisply passed the ball for open shots. Los Angeles was 24 of of 48 from the field with 15 assists through three quarters and then emptied the bench for the final period.
Nothing came easy for the Hawks, who forced challenged jump shots and missed open looks while shooting 30 of 82 from the field.
"When the shot is not falling you have to turn down some of those shots and get to the basket and we didn't do that," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "We just continued to fire away and got us behind."
The Hawks tried to run but couldn't finish fast breaks, either--forward Josh Smith twice threw wayward passes that bounced hard off the backboard. There also were few second chances to score for Atlanta as the Lakers had 42 defensive rebounds.
Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 20 points while taking just 11 shots and playing a leisurely 26 minutes. Johnson led the Hawks with 14 points.
Atlanta briefly rallied to get within 35-27 in the second quarter. But the Hawks were scoreless for nearly four minutes as Los Angeles scored 14 straight points to lead 49-27.
Atlanta trailed 54-33 at halftime and by as many as 29 points in the second half. Its regulars watched all but the opening moments of the fourth quarter from the bench.
The Lakers presented Hawks forward Josh Powell with a championship ring prior to the game. Powell played for the Lakers last season.
"I actually want to see it," Horford said of the ring. "I kind of saw it from far away. I know what it's like to win; I did it at the college level [at Florida] and we're hungry for that. We're hungry to be in that position and we're not there yet."
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