LOS ANGELES – The Lakers are going to have to play more consistently solid defense to thrive on their upcoming trip to New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah, but this was good enough Tuesday night. With the triangle offense exploding off the graph paper again, the Lakers overwhelmed Toronto to move a half-game ahead of San Antonio for the Western Conference lead.
Kobe Bryant masterminded the offense with 34 points and seven assists, both team highs. Lamar Odom (20 points on 9-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds) had his 18th game in the past 20 with at least 50 percent shooting from the field.
Bryant was still spectacular at times. In the first quarter he made a post-entry pass to Pau Gasol that went between Kris Humprhies’ legs. Then after Bryant got the ball back but was stuck against the baseline on the left side of the court, he calmly swished an unblockable left-handed 10-foot shot.
SMALL BUT GOOD
With Chris Paul waiting on deck Friday night in New Orleans, the Lakers’ frequent troubles with small, quick guards cropped up again against Toronto reserve point guard T.J. Ford, who had 28 points and four assists.
ENTERTAINING VIC
It is often amusing when radio personality Vic Jacobs shows up in his Lakers shawl or whatever it is to try to “interview” the Lakers and encourage them. Before the game he asked Phil Jackson what he has done to keep Bryant from getting more technical fouls, and Jackson said: “I just told him he couldn’t get any more technicals.” Vic responded earnestly while nodding: “Nice.”
FISH FRIED
Derek Fisher (18 points) lost his poise for a rare moment with 2:27 to play when he got upset a moving screen by Andrea Bargnani went uncalled. Fisher threw Bargnani aside and then committed an obvious shoulder foul against Ford before arguing with referees about what Bargnani did.
NEXT
Lakers at New Orleans, 5 p.m. Friday, KCAL/9, KLAC/570.
