Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers got a pair of victories this weekend, besting the Memphis Grizzlies, 114-98, on Friday and the New Orleans Hornets Sunday, 104-88.

On Sunday, No. 7 scored seven points, dished out six assists and grabbed nine rebounds. While none of the numbers were in double figures, they did put him within a few eyelashes of a triple double and filled the stat sheet. No. 7 was also perfect from the foul line, going 4-4.

In Friday’s win over the Grizzlies, Lamar had his lowest point total of the season, scoring just three points. But LO chipped in four assists and six rebounds. He also led the team with two steals.

Lamar and the Lakers (6-1) have every reason to smile (Getty Images).

Lamar told reporters after the Memphis game that he feels the adversity the Lakers have faced this season with the attrition of their big men has built character. Of course, being a championship caliber team to begin with helps, as quoted by HoopsWorld:

"Experience helps. It's the best teacher of them all. Right now we feel like we have the experience - focus," said Odom. "Those are games last year I think we would have dropped . . . learning how to win ugly is good for this team."

PARTY FOUL?
Despite it being his 30th birthday on Friday, No. 7 got no gifts from the refs, fouling out in just 29 minutes. It was the first time the season the Package has fouled out of a game.

LO only fouled out of five games last season.

DEFENSIVE MONSTER
Eight of LO’s nine rebounds against Memphis on Friday night came on the defensive glass.

The game breakdown was representative of Lamar's outstanding work on the defensive glass all season. LO has been a rebounding machine and most of his boards coming with the Lakers on defense.

No. 7 has grabbed 63 rebounds this season, and 46 of those have come on the defensive glass. That’s nearly 75 percent of his boards that give the Lakers possession.

WATCH AND LISTEN
In an interview with the L.A. Times after the Lakers win over the Hornets, LO spoke about the team’s depth:

"We have guys that can play," Lamar said. "That's the strength of our team. Of course the game is easier when our best post players are in the game."

The Package also spoke about how Kobe Bryant compares to another shooting guard Phil Jackson coached. To watch Lamar's post game presser, click here.

NEXT UP
LO gets three days of rest before the Lakers take on the Phoenix Suns on Thursday at 7:30 PST. The teams are tied for first in the Pacific Division. The battle for first will be broadcast nationwide on TNT.

RELATED ARTICLES
Lakers coast past Hornets despite lack of size (ESPN.com, Nov. 8, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291108013
Lakers 104, Hornets 88: Big Easy win
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/11/lakers-beat-hornets.htm... (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 8, 2009)
Lakers surviving injuries (HoopsWorld, November 8, 2009)
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14270

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