Slam Dunk Central

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?The Los Angeles Lakers on most nights rely on guard Kobe Bryant to score with regularity.? Tonight wasn’t a good example of that request; however, they had a secondary resource, one Lamar Odom.? Odom’s output made up for Bryant’s off-night as the Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center Friday night.

The game was close during the first half, with Los Angeles holding a slim 48-46 lead.? Detroit dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Lakers by 8 in the period to take a 68-62 lead going into the 4th quarter.? Key plays by Lakers reserve guard Jordan Farmar, including 2 steals and scoring six points helped Los Angeles rally from a 74-72 deficit.? Bryant finally warmed up, making two 3-pointers, made a 3-point play and scored 11 points in the game’s final 5:38 to help the Lakers pull away.

Odom led 6 Lakers players in scoring, scoring 25 points while grabbing 15 rebounds.? Bryant, after a slow start, finished with 19, along with 7 assists.? Detroit had five players in double-figures, led by swingman Richard Hamilton and F Tayshaun Prince with 16 points each; Prince grabbed 9 boards, as well.? G Flip Murray added 15, while both F/C Rasheed Wallace and reserve F Jarvis Hayes chipped in 13 each.? Los Angeles (5-3) play again on Sunday night, hosting the Chicago Bulls, while Detroit (6-3) ventures north to take on the Sacramento Kings, also on Sunday night.