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Bobcats hope to avoid reaching another seven-game skid

Feb 11, 2008 - 3:53 PM LA Lakers (32-17) at Charlotte (18-33) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Charlotte Bobcats hope to avoid a dubious repeat in Monday's game with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Hornets, who already have had one seven-game losing streak this season, need to defeat the Lakers to avoid matching the mark set from November 21-December 2.

Charlotte hasn't even been close in the late stages of a game recently. In their current six-game skid, the Bobcats are losing by an average of 19.2 points. Charlotte's record is only better than Miami and New York in the Eastern Conference.

The Lakers are 4-1 since acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis. Gasol is averaging 19.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in a Los Angeles uniform.

The Lakers are 5-2 on their current nine-game road trip, which concludes Wednesday in Minnesota. Los Angeles is 16-10 on the road this season and is 15-9 against teams from the East.

The Lakers won for the fifth time in their last six games Sunday, a 104-94 victory over the Miami Heat.

Kobe Bryant scored 33 points while Lamar Odom added 15 points and 18 rebounds to pace Los Angeles.