Magic center Dwight Howard thinks the team needs to change the way they prepare for games.

Orlando lost to the surging Lakers on Monday night, dropping their seventh game in nine tries.

"We started [the season] out great, and then teams started changing their game plans against us," Howard said. "So we've just got to do a better job of figuring out other teams' game plans and go forth from there. I know we've been in a tough stretch, but we've just got to continue to work. We're going to get over this."

Howard scored 24 points against Los Angeles, but was limited to just one field goal after halftime.

"I don't think they put the clamps on me [in the second half]," Howard said. "They just double-teamed, and I had to pass it out to guys who hit shots. We just turned the ball over too much in the second half, and they went on a big run."

Orlando, 26-15 after Monday's loss, has dropped to second place in the Southeast Division behind Atlanta.