Defeat in Orlando, site of their NBA title-clinching triumph last June, gives Lakers an 0-3 trip and their first three-game losing streak since Pau Gasol joined them in February 2008.

Kobe Bryant came out short down the stretch in a 96-94 loss to the Orlando Magic Sunday afternoon. He missed a contested jumper and the Lakers losing streak has hit three games.

I hesitate to call this a rematch, because it’s just a regular season game and there isn’t much on the line, but this one had a postseason feel to it and was quite chippy, especially in the second half. The Magic led by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Lakers went on an 8-0 run to start the period and cut the lead to just two. The game was nip and tuck the rest of the way, but the Lakers never took the lead or even tied the game.

Great idea T.. Terez, I appreciate your support on this one..

His rebounds and steals per game are down for the year. But Ron Artest still means defense! Or at least he’s gotten it dyed in his newly-platinum hair, in three different languages. He thinks that’s what it says, anyway.Artest, no stranger to “creative” hairstyles, chose a new look last night: Lakers purple and gold.

His rebounds and steals per game are down for the year. But Ron Artest still means defense! Or at least he’s gotten it dyed in his newly-platinum hair, in three different languages.

It’s the dog days of the NBA season, and the good news is that the Lakers still have time.

The Lakers have been in a bit of a funk lately. Losing two in a row and have been playing a bit sluggish since the All-Star break. The greatness that is Ron Artest is deciding to shake things up a bit and he didn’t even have to break a table leg

The Lakers haven’t lost three in a row in more than two years, but they are coming off consecutive losses to Miami and Charlotte. Lakers today

The Times’ beat writer ties up loose ends on the days of his self-designated ‘Game of the Week.’ Mike Bresnahan covers the Lakers for The Times and ties up loose ends on the day of his self-designated “Game of the Week.” The Lakers play today at Orlando.