February 9, 2010

Lamar Steps In, Steps Up

With Andrew Bynum still resting his bruised hip, Lamar Odom was called into action as a member of the starting lineup and the double-double machine delivered his 15th of the season, helping the Los Angeles Lakers obtain their 40th win.

"We were aware of how we needed to play, being short handed," LO told Lakers.com.

Lamar did just as he needed to with 16 points and ten boards in Los Angeles’ 101-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
LO, though, deflected all his praise to the team, saying tonight was about everyone on the floor.

"We limited their second-shot opportunities, ran the triangle and played good team defense."

LO has 32 rebounds in the past two games -- both Lakers victories (Getty Images).

However modest, Lamar's presence was critical in the win. In the first quarter San Antonio jumped out to a 9-0 lead but with two assists and two buckets, No. 7 brought the Lakers back and helped them pull ahead 12-11.

LO wasn’t done, scoring three more points and finding Pau Gasol at the end of the quarter to finish a loaded opening frame with seven points, three assists, three rebounds, and one block.

Despite his outburst, San Antonio still finished the first quarter up six. Los Angeles, though, outscored the Spurs by nine in the second and held off their long-time playoff nemesis in the third and fourth for a 12-point win.

ABSENT BYNUM, LAMAR DELIVERS.
Lakers fans have learned by now that on any given night, Lamar is as likely to lead the team in points as he is rebounds, assists or blocks.

He’s an all over presence that can fill any box on the stat sheet and earn his nickname, "The Package" in any game.

With both Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum out, Lamar Odom needed to step it up. He did, and ESPN.com’s J.A. Adande took notice, seeing Lamar, as well as Pau Gasol, give the kind of performance Los Angeles needed with its stars hurting.

"Ask Odom and Gasol to do more by necessity, with no viable alternative, and they inscribe their initials all over the stat sheet. Odom has always been better with the ball than playing off it. Monday he was grabbing rebounds, initiating the fast break, driving by power forwards and posting up guards to the tune 16 points and 10 rebounds."

NEXT UP
The Los Angeles Lakers face the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. The teams have split the season series so far. In both games, No. 7 scored seven points.

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Gasol’s double-double leads short-handed Lakers past Spurs (ESPN.com, Feb. 8, 2010)
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