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Lakers battle for playoff position against Mavericks

Mar 18, 2008 - 1:25 PM LA Lakers (45-21) at Dallas (44-23) 8:30 pm EDT

DALLAS (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to end a two-game losing streak when they take on the resurgent Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Los Angeles was on top of the Western Conference before it lost, 108-98, to New Orleans on Friday.

On Sunday, the Lakers fell a game off the pace when they dropped a 104-92 decision to the Houston Rockets, who secured their 22nd straight win and the top spot in the conference.

The Lakers also were dealt a major blow in the loss to the Hornets, as recently-acquired center Pau Gasol suffered an ankle sprain - sidelining him indefinitely.

Gasol is not expected to play against a Dallas team that has won five straight and is tied for sixth in the West, just 2 1/2 games behind Houston.

The Mavericks, who are 9-0 against losing teams since acquiring Jason Kidd at the trade deadline, are 0-5 against playoff teams since February 21.

Los Angeles, which has not lost three straight since late January, has dropped four straight and five of seven overall at this venue.

Lakers' star Kobe Bryant scored 36 against the Hornets, but tallied only 24 on 11-of-33 shots in team's loss to Houston.