Odom inspires Lakers to gritty victory over Rockets

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-06 14:56

LOS ANGELES: Lamar Odom produced a solid performance to help the Los Angeles Lakers survive a ragged offensive outing in beating the Houston Rockets 88-79 on Tuesday.

Odom inspires Lakers to gritty victory over Rockets

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (2nd R) drives through the defense of the Houston Rockets during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles January 5, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

Despite missing practice a day earlier through stomach pain, Odom filled in for the injured Pau Gasol and nearly posted a triple-double with 17 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists.

Center Andrew Bynum had a team-high 24 points and Kobe Bryant added 22, including several key fourth-quarter plays, as the defending NBA champions ground out a fourth straight win.

Carl Landry scored 19 points off the bench and Aaron Brooks chipped in 18 for the Rockets (20-15), who suffered a second straight defeat.

Trailing for a majority of the game, Houston rallied to reduce the deficit to just two points with 3:55 left but Bryant answered with an assist on a three-point play and a jumper before Bynum made a hook shot to push the lead back to 80-73.

All-Star forward Gasol missed the contest for Los Angeles (28-6) after straining his left hamstring in Sunday's win against the Dallas Mavericks.