EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers continued to drift downward from their triumph in Las Vegas a week-and-a-half ago, this time dropping a game in Chicago amid a flurry of three-point shots in the Windy City.

The Lakers were on top of the NBA world after winning the league’s first in-season tournament, but have since fallen on tough times by losing four of their last five games.

The Bulls beat them Wednesday, 124-108, outscoring the Lakers by 18 from three-point range as the Lakers’ defense continued to soften.

Defense was a strong point for the Lakers for several weeks, leading up to a victory over Indiana in the in-season tournament championship. Since then, however, they allowed a far-too-generous 122.6 points in their last five games with no end in sight for a rough patch of the schedule.

The Lakers continue a three-game trip Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who lead the Western Conference, and Saturday against Oklahoma City, currently sitting second in the West.

“It’s been a tough, tough stretch, no doubt about it,” Lakers Coach Darvin Ham said. “The way you get past it is you investigate yourself first and foremost … look internally.”

Chicago guard Zach LaVine didn’t play because of a foot injury, but the Bulls had plenty of production without the former All-Star. Eight players scored in double figures, led by DeMar DeRozan, who had 27 points and nine assists.

The Bulls (12-17) made a scintillating 18 of 34 three-point shots for a pristine 52.9%.

“They shot the hell out of the ball,” Ham said.

The Lakers (15-13) couldn’t claim to be short-handed after getting back Gabe Vincent (sore knee) seven weeks after he last played. They are at full strength for the first time this season with the exception of seldom-used rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino (back spasms).

“We’re just trying to find what works for us,” said LeBron James, who had 25 points.

D’Angelo Russell continued a rough month, making only one of six shots and finishing with two points and two assists in 28 minutes. He is averaging 8.7 points and shooting only 37.7% in December.

Anthony Davis had 19 points and 14 rebounds, along with a brief injury scare. He turned his left ankle in the third quarter after blocking Coby White’s shot and left the game for a few minutes before returning to start the fourth quarter.

Davis has faced an assortment of nagging injuries but missed only two games this season.

“There’s no break coming, there’s no help coming, there’s no cavalry,” he said. “We’ve got everyone back. We’ve just got to find a way to get in the win column.”

Ham tried to sound positive after another on-court setback.

“We’re in the valley right now, but we’ll be climbing up that mountain very soon,” he said.

The Lakers will have to rediscover their offense against two very good defensive teams.

Minnesota allows a league-best 106.7 points a game and is 11-1 at home. Oklahoma City has the NBA’s steals leader (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and a rookie who has blocked 15 shots in his last two games (Chet Holmgren).