EL SEGUNDO – As the first of what now seems likely to be many blowouts mounted on Friday, Byron Scott looked down the slumped shoulders of his bench and considered the options available to him.
His team would go on to allow 80 points in the paint, 33 in transition and 132 overall.
He needed a defensive stopper to help reverse the tide.
Unfortunately, the Lakers defender with the most sterling credentials was unavailable.
Thirty-five-year-old Metta World Peace, a former Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Defensive selection, was inactive for the second straight game.