The Los Angeles Lakers' latest iteration of life without LeBron James has started poorly, but with a chance to discover a winning formula Monday at home against the Charlotte Hornets. James has missed the Lakers' last two games with an abdominal strain, and the team has lost both times, falling 107-104 at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday and again at Portland 105-90 on Saturday. The Lakers have lost three of their last eight games and James has missed all three.