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Lakers face Grizzlies, aim for fifth straight win

Jan 9, 2007 - 2:43 PM LA Lakers (23-11) at Memphis (8-27) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- After silencing the league's top team, the Los Angeles Lakers will take on its worst.

Coming off one of their most impressive victories of the season, the Lakers aim for their fifth straight win Tuesday when they face the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.

On Sunday, Los Angeles ended the Dallas Mavericks' 13-game winning streak with an exciting 101-98 victory. Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 26 points in a decisive fourth quarter as the Lakers stopped Dallas from tying a franchise-record winning streak.

Despite Bryant's stellar performance, he had help from his supporting cast. Luke Walton scored 21 points and Sasha Vujacic nailed the biggest shot of the game when he buried the go-ahead 3-pointer with 29 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles won four in a row earlier this season from November 12-21, and with a win Tuesday, it will have its longest winning streak since reeling off the final five contests of the 2005-06 campaign.

Guided by interim coach Tony Barone, the Grizzlies hope to avoid a three-game losing streak on Tuesday and improve on the NBA's worst record. In its last contest on Sunday, Pau Gasol scored 24 points in a 110-96 loss to San Antonio.

Just 7-7 on the road this season, the Lakers will look to to turn it around against Memphis. However, Los Angeles hasn't had much success against the Grizzlies recently, losing six of its last eight meetings - including five of six here.