Despite Lamar Odom's lowest point output of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers easily dispatched the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night 101-85 at the Staples Center.

It was the Lakers third-straight win, their second win streak of three or more games early on this season.

LO had just two points in twenty minutes off the bench, both season lows. His only basket, though, came on a massive dunk midway through the second quarter. And it came on a play he started himself.

The Thunder’s James Harden misfired on a long jumper, and Lamar tipped the rebound up to Shannon Brown. Brown drove the length of the court and then tossed a no-look pass to the Package, trailing the play. Lamar sailed through the air and slammed it down.

You can watch Odom’s driving dunk at the 2:00 minute mark here.

LO also added five rebounds and tossed two assists.

KOBE'S ANTICS NOTHING NEW TO LO
While LO’s dunk was certainly highlight reel, he got overshadowed by the superstar right next to him.

Kobe Bryant hit what may have been the shot of the season when, after driving from the wing and almost being forced out at the baseline, he lobbed up a shot from behind the backboard and, of course, swished it.

While it was unbelievable, No. 24’s frequent greatness doesn’t faze Lamar. He told the Associated Press that Bryant puts up highlight reel shots every day in practice.

“You see him do things just fooling around with all kinds of shots in practice that you won't normally see," Odom said. "But you expect the impossible, because he's not scared to take any shot from anywhere on the court. So that's why that's the result. It's never a bad shot to him. That's his mentality. He's not afraid to shoot it. He understands touch, getting the ball up and staying focused. His concentration is incredible.”

No. 7 forgot to mention that he dished out the assist to Kobe on the play.

POST AND POINT
The Lakers offense is one of the more complex systems in the NBA. Part of it is the schemes of coach Phil Jackson, but a lot of it has to do with the versatility of the players.

Even as a guard, Kobe Bryant frequently likes to post up in the paint. But he can only do that if someone else brings up the ball. In Lamar Odom, Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register says, the Lakers have exactly that guy.

“Bryant has been able to frolic in the post all he wants while Odom has been starting in Gasol's place, because Odom brings the ball up court and essentially plays alongside Derek Fisher.

When Odom isn't there, Bryant has to bring the ball up more and face the basket”

And when Bryant gets down low in the post, he typically gets double-teamed, freeing up Lamar to shoot threes.

NEXT UP
The 10-3 Lakers take on the New York Knicks tomorrow night at the Staples Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PST and all the action can be seen live on Fox Sports West.

RELATED ARTICLES
Kobe, Gasol shine as Lakers take care of Thunder (ESPN.com, Nov. 23, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291122013
Lakers look to feed the post (Orange County Register, Nov 20, 2009)
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/bryant-220420-post-jordan.html

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