Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to get back on the winning track tonight, as they welcome Pacific Division rival Portland to the Staples Center.

The Lakers trail the Sacramento Kings by half-game in the Pacific, while the Trail Blazers are one game behind the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

This will be the third meeting of the season between the two clubs. In the two previous contests, both the Lakers and Blazers picked up a win on their home court. The teams will play again on April 14th at the Rose Garden.

On Sunday, the Lakers had their season-high 11-game winning streak halted as they dropped a 95-89 decision to the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points and Gary Payton netted 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for LA.

Shaquille O'Neal scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the loss, while Karl Malone finished with 12 points. O'Neal had three blocks in the contest and has 2,086 for his career, which ties him with Manute Bol for ninth place on the NBA's all-time list.

The Lakers are an impressive 32-6 at home this season.

Portland's playoff hopes took a hit on Saturday, as it was on the losing end of a 94-81 decision against the New Orleans Hornets at the Rose Garden. Zach Randolph paced the Trail Blazers with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Darius Miles and Shareef Abdur-Rahim each netted 14 in defeat for the Blazers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

The Blazers are just 15-23 on the road this season.

The home team has won 11 in a row in this series. Portland has lost 11 of its last 13 at the Lakers.