1.   And the Lakers, who have never lost three straight under coach Phil Jackson, stopped another skid at two games.

2.   But fortunately for the Clippers, order was restored, and their losing skid was stopped.

3.   Coach Brian Mahoney, searching for a way to stop the skid, told Scott on Friday that he would get his chance to start at Michigan.

4.   Not coincidentally, the Knicks won both games to stop a skid that had reached five losses in seven games.

5.   Stopping a skid of eight straight losses was equally crucial.

6.   The series keeps tumbling in the ratings, and stopping the skid appears improbable.

7.   The Devil Rays spilt the four-game series against Baltimore, stopping a skid that saw them drop eight straight series.