(Sports Network) - The reigning NBA champions hope to halt an uncharacteristic two-game losing streak Tuesday when they face off with the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center.

Los Angeles, which didn't lose its third game last season until Dec. 9, hasn't lost three straight since Jan. 23-27, 2008, shortly before Pau Gasol was acquired from Memphis.

Gasol, the team's All-Star power forward, hasn't suited up yet this season due to a strained right hamstring.

The Lakers fell to Houston on Sunday when Aaron Brooks scored 10 of his 33 points during a big third-quarter run, lifting the Rockets to a 101-91 win in LA.

David Andersen added 19 points off the bench, while fellow reserve Carl Landry tacked on 15 points and 10 boards for Houston, which won the rematch in the battle between ex-Laker Trevor Ariza and ex-Rocket Ron Artest.

Ariza totaled nine points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who suffered a 103-102 home overtime loss to the Lakers on November 4.

Artest led the way with 22 points for the Lakers, who were slowed by a poor shooting night for Kobe Bryant, who aggravated a strained right groin injury in the first quarter. The reigning Finals MVP shot 5-of-20 from the field during an 18-point performance, but Los Angeles lost its second straight for the first time all season.

Bryant left for the locker room for treatment late in the fourth quarter but is expected to play tonight.

Andrew Bynum added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a 105-79 loss at Denver Friday and are struggling mightily on the offensive end, especially in the second half.

The team's third quarter struggles against Houston followed a season-low 35.2 percent shooting and a franchise worst 23 second-half points in a 105-79 loss at the Nuggets.

"None of our losses are understandable," said Artest. "We fought back and tried to play together. We'll figure it out."

Detroit, meanwhile, lost for the first time in four games on Sunday when Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half and hit a key bucket with under a minute left in Dallas' 95-90 win at The Palace.

Rodney Stuckey had 28 points for Detroit, but he left the game late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Will Bynum had 27 points, while Charlie Villanueva chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Detroit guard Ben Gordon went just 1-of-16 from the floor and his desperation three-pointer in the closing seconds was off the mark.

Gordon said he'll bounce back.

"I've done that throughout my career," he said. "I just had a bad night. Everybody's been playing a lot of minutes. That's just part of the game."

Stuckey pronounced himself "good to go" for tonight's game but the Pistons remain without stars Rip Hamilton (ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back).

These two teams spilt a two-game season series a year ago with each winning on the other's home floor.



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