Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES
Call it a bit of wishful thinking, But 90 minutes before tipoff, Phil Jackson was still hoping that Andrew Bynum would walk into the locker room and say that he is ready to play.

Wishful thinking indeed.

Bynum (elbow), along with Pau Gasol (hamstring) were not available for Friday’s game against Memphis, leaving Lamar Odom and DJ Mbenga to handle Zach Randolph in the paint.

“Lamar has a big job because Zach Randolph is a prolific scorer,” Jackson said. “So we probably will double-team them in the post.”

Randolph, a 260-poiund power forward, is averaging 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds, while center Marc Gasol is throwing in another 17.6 points a game.

Jackson said it will be important for his post players to stay out of foul trouble considering sudden lack of big men.

“It’s going to be about the foul situation basically,” Jackson said. “We have to stay out of foul trouble and limit their big guys.”

Odom said staying out of foul trouble will be easy.

“Play less defense,” he said.

He laughed, but he sounded serious.

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