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Lakers can snap six-game slide vs. Celtics

Feb 23, 2007 - 3:52 PM Boston (13-40) at LA Lakers (30-25) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Before coach Phil Jackson can gain election to the Basketball Hall of Fame this year, he has some serious work to do.

Jackson tries to guide the Los Angeles Lakers out of a season-long six-game losing streak Friday, when they host the Boston Celtics in their second meeting of the season.

A winner of six league championships as coach of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, three more with the Lakers from 2000-2002 and one as a player with the 1973 New York Knicks, Jackson is a finalist for the Hall of Fame and will learn if he is elected on April 2.

However, Jackson will need to work some magic to snap the longest drought of his coaching career. The Lakers are winless since posting a 90-83 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on February 5.

Despite topping the century mark in their last three contests, the Lakers continued their skid with Wednesday's 112-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant scored 25 points and Maurice Evans added 23 for the Lakers, who allowed Portland to shoot nearly 60 percent (43-of-72) from the floor.

After snapping a franchise record 18-game losing streak by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks on February 14, Boston has dropped two in a row, including Wednesday's 118-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Al Jefferson added 23 with 17 rebounds and Ryan Gomes 21 for the Celtics.

The Lakers handed the Celtics their 13th loss in their record streak with a 111-98 victory on January 31. Bryant led Los Angeles with 33 points.