AVENGERS TONIGHT

vs. Florida

5:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KMPC (1540).

* Records--Avengers 1-8, Bobcats 3-5.

* Record vs. Bobcats--0-0.

* Update--It’s hard to believe, considering their record, but the Avengers still have an outside shot at making the playoffs. But they can’t afford any more defeats, particularly devastating ones like last week’s 54-51 loss to Arizona in which the Rattlers returned a kickoff for the winning touchdown on the game’s final play. The Bobcats--gripped by a three-game losing streak--can relate, giving up an interception return and a fumble recovery for touchdowns in last week’s 60-34 loss to Nashville. Florida also tied a dubious league record with minus-17 yards rushing. Like the Avengers, the Bobcats have struggled on offense, scoring fewer than 40 points in six of their eight games. The Florida defense has been punished in its last two games, giving up 77 points to Tampa Bay and 60 to Nashville. The best news for Avenger quarterback Todd Marinovich was not the seven touchdown passes he threw against Arizona, but that he had no interceptions for the first time in an Arena game.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.