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Lakers look for rare win vs. Pistons at Palace

Feb 8, 2007 - 4:35 PM LA Lakers (30-19) at Detroit (29-18) 8:00 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) - In recent years, The Palace of Auburn Hills has been a house of horrors for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Looking for their first win in the Motor City in more than five years, the Lakers continue their eight-game road trip when they face off with the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

Los Angeles has struggled in Detroit, losing four consecutive regular-season games and three straight in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Lakers' last win at the Palace was January 8, 2002.

Los Angeles is the only Western Conference team with an overall winning record that is below .500 on the road (11-13). The Lakers are 3-2 on their trip.

In their last two games, the Lakers have been carried by superstar Kobe Bryant, who has outdueled star guards Gilbert Arenas of Washington and Joe Johnson of Atlanta. On Monday, the Lakers defeated the Hawks, 90-83, with Bryant scoring 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, many in spectacular fashion.

It won't be easy against the Pistons, who are looking for their fourth straight win. On Tuesday, Detroit handled woeful Boston, 109-102, as Chris Webber scored 17 points to lead six players in double figures.