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Lakers hope to begin new win streak against Mavericks

Mar 2, 2008 - 1:59 PM Dallas (39-20) at La Lakers (41-18) 3:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back into the win column on Sunday when they host the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference clash.

Los Angeles had its 10-game winning streak snapped on Friday, suffering a 119-111 loss at Portland.

"I'd rather have a 20-game win streak," said Lakers forward Lamar Odom, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds. "We are trying to win every game possible, especially with these teams playing so well in the Western Conference."

Kobe Bryant had 33 points in the defeat for the Lakers, who fell to 11-2 with Pau Gasol in the lineup. Gasol had 15 points and nine rebounds.

Dallas has gone 4-2 since acquiring Jason Kidd on February 19, and is coming off a 115-106 victory over Sacramento on Friday.

Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 34 points and 10 rebounds in the victory and Kidd came just short of his 100th career triple-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Kidd is averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 10.7 assists with Dallas.

The matchup is key in the Western Conference standings as Dallas is tied for fifth place but just two games back of San Antonio for the top spot.

The Mavericks won three out of the four meetings last season, and were victorious in the first contest with the Lakers this season, 112-105, on January 25.