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Bryant, Lakers hope to hold on to seventh place

Apr 6, 2007 - 5:31 PM LA Lakers (39-36) at Seattle (30-45) 10:30 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back on track Friday when they visit the Seattle SuperSonics.

Sixth in the Western Conference but just one-half game in front of Denver (38-36), Los Angeles has lost four of its last five games. They also are just 1 1/2 games in front of the Los Angeles Clippers (37-37) for the eighth spot.

On Wednesday, Kobe Bryant scored 29 points but made just 13-of-34 shots as the Lakers endured a 90-82 loss to the Clippers.

"That is something we'll have to address (urgency) for our young players," Bryant said. "We have touched on that point several times in practice and we will talk about it some more."

Bryant is averaging a league-high 31.1 points per game as he is looking to become the first player since Tracy McGrady (2002-04) to win back-to-back scoring titles. Bryant averaged 35.4 points last season.

In their last matchup here, Bryant battled foul trouble and was held to just 15 points in Los Angeles' 107-101 loss to Seattle on November 5.

Seattle suffered its third consecutive loss on Wednesday, a 101-92 overtime decision to the New Orleans Hornets. Rashard Lewis had 27 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Sonics.