LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers try to extend their season-high winning streak to four games on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, who want to avoid their first three-game slide in nearly three years.

The Lakers have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with their Los Angeles rivals, including a 98-93 victory as the road team here on November 20.

Since both team share the Staples Center, the Lakers are 8-1 against the Clippers here, including a 3-1 mark as the home team.

But the Clippers head into Friday with five wins in their last six games while the two-time defending champion Lakers have hit their first rough stretch of the season, losing consecutive games for the first time since March 26-28.

After losing in Sacramento last Friday, the Lakers suffered a 104-93 home defeat to Seattle on Tuesday, their first loss at the Staples Center since April 1.

Shaquille O'Neal had 37 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks for the Lakers, which made just 6-of-25 shots in the third quarter and fell to 11-1 at home.

Kobe Bryant scored just 16 points on 7-of-23 shooting and rookie Stanislav Medvedenko was the only other Laker in double figures with 10.

The Clippers took advantage of a tired Sonics team the following night, posting a 114-94 victory over Seattle at the Staples Center.

Quentin Richardson scored 23 points, Jeff McInnis added 19 and Corey Maggette 17 for the Clippers, who moved two games above .500 for the first time since they were 7-5 on November 22, 1995.

Elton Brand had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Lamar Odom colected 15, 10 and eight assists. The Clippers have not been three games over .500 since they were 6-3 on November 17, 1995.