Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers try to halt losing streaks

Someone's long losing streak will come to an end Tuesday night when the Detroit Pistons visit Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Pistons have dropped six in a row, which is the longest current streak in the NBA. The Lakers aren't far behind with five consecutive setbacks.

Detroit, which has lost three straight as the visitor, begins a four-game trek out west with stops against the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz on tap.

The Pistons' skid reached five games on Sunday with a 108-101 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Reggie Jackson posted 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Greg Monroe supplied 18 points and 11 boards for Detroit.

John Lucas' floater in the opening 18 seconds of the fourth quarter staked Detroit to an 86-78 advantage, but the Hornets responded with an extended 22-4 run to seize control.

Lance Stephenson netted nine of the first 12 Charlotte points during the surge, which was capped on a pair of Marvin Williams free throws for a 100-90 cushion with 2:41 remaining.

The Pistons never got within less than seven the rest of the way.

"They decided to fight in the second half and we never did," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said.

The Pistons have fallen five games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Lakers, who have lost two in a row as the host, got their four-game homestand off to a rocky start on Sunday with a 100-93 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.

Carlos Boozer supplied 17 points and eight boards off the bench for Los Angeles. Wesley Johnson and Jordan Clarkson scored 15 apiece, while Wayne Ellington chipped in 13. Ed Davis managed 10 off the bench.

Boozer's reverse layup staked the Lakers to a 90-84 advantage midway through the fourth quarter, but the Mavs closed the game on a 16-3 run.

"Same old story, they turned it up a notch and we turned it over," Lakers coach Byron Scott said.

The Lakers shot 14.3 percent from long range and committed 16 turnovers to just eight from the Mavericks.

Boozer (ankle) is probable Tuesday.

Los Angeles will host the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks on this stay.

The Lakers have won five straight in this series, including a 10-point victory in Motown on Dec. 2. LA has taken four in a row as the host over the Pistons.

[SportsNetwork.com]