It’s a long-distance fall

So much for the two-game streak.

The work the Lakers had done in dropping Phoenix and Utah came to a quiet end in a 118-104 loss Tuesday to the vastly improved New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center.

The Lakers’ defense, lively and active in their victories, deserted them in a big way -- make that a very big way -- as the Hornets set two franchise records.

Chris Paul’s 21 assists were a problem for the Lakers, as was an old rival, Peja Stojakovic, who has changed teams a couple of times since firing away at them in his days with the Sacramento Kings.

Stojakovic had 36 points, 17 in the third quarter, and his 10 three-point baskets broke the Hornets’ record as well as the Lakers’ opponent record of eight, held by Gilbert Arenas, Vladimir Radmanovic and Stephen Jackson.

The Lakers hadn’t surrendered so many assists to a player since John Stockton had 23 against them in April 1990.

A forgettable game for the home team, in many ways.

“Oh man, what a finish to a ballgame,” Coach Phil Jackson said, sighing heavily. “Paul broke us down, found guys sitting on the three-point line. We tried a variety of things defensively out there to try and slow Paul down, but he got inside our defense . . . “

Kobe Bryant had 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting, and also had seven assists and six rebounds. It was canceled out, and more, by Paul and Stojakovic.

Paul had 19 points and only two turnovers in 35 minutes. Stojakovic made 12 of 21 shots, 10 of 13 from three-point range.

“He knocked down his shots, to his credit, but we did blow it defensively,” said Jordan Farmar, who had 11 points. “We let Chris Paul do whatever he wanted.”

The Lakers beat Phoenix by 21 and Utah by 10, but this was seen as another solid early-season test, not just because of the Hornets’ 3-0 record coming into the game.

The Suns and Jazz were playing their second game in as many nights when the Lakers beat them, but the Hornets had not played since winning in Denver on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jackson reminded everyone beforehand that the season was still young. Very young.

“We’ve won two games, right?” he said. “When we’re 30-5, then we’re considered good.”

Well, now they’re 2-2.

They might get Lamar Odom back Friday against Minnesota -- “He’s really close,” Jackson said -- but they went without two regulars against the Hornets.

Kwame Brown sat out because of bursitis in his right heel, and Maurice Evans sat out because of a sore lower back. Both are day-to-day.

Brown said his right heel was hurting probably because he had favored it since undergoing off-season surgery on his left ankle. X-rays were negative and Brown said he hoped to play Friday.

Chris Mihm started at center in place of Brown and had eight points and six rebounds. Andrew Bynum had eight points and 13 rebounds after receiving an ovation when he entered the game with 3:59 left in the first quarter.

The season is only four games old, but another problem is already creeping into the picture: home-court disadvantage.

The Lakers are now 1-2 at Staples Center.

“To play this way at home isn’t fulfilling,” Farmar said. “I don’t know what to say.”

Ronny Turiaf had 15 points and was very active in the first quarter, getting seven points and four rebounds. The Lakers as a whole weren’t so active and trailed after the first quarter, 32-22, despite Farmar’s three-point play at the buzzer.

They managed to come back from a 14-point deficit and closed to within 57-55 at halftime, but Stojakovic made five three-pointers in the third quarter and helped the Hornets extend their lead to 89-80 going into the fourth.

Farmar again ignited the Lakers, continually pushing the ball at the basket and scoring six points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers tried to carve away at their deficit.

But trying doesn’t always mean succeeding, obviously.

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By the numbers

14 Three-point shots made by the Hornets (14 of 25).

16 Three-pointers missed by the Lakers (8 of 24).

17 Points in the third quarter by Peja Stojakovic.

21 Number of assists by point guard Chris Paul.