Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Lamar Odom hasn’t scored that many points for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. But he sure hasn’t forgotten how to rebound.
That was definitely proven on Tuesday in a 93-77 NBA victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, extending the Blazers winning string to six games. The Clippers gave him 21 minutes and he was only 1-of-6 from the floor, a 3-pointer and had three assists and three turnovers. But Odom was huge with the boards, and led his team with 12 rebounds including five defensively.
It was Odom’s best rebounding game since April 10 when he grabbed 13 in 18 minutes of action and a 111-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Odom is in the game for one reason: get that missed shot. He’s been doing very well for the most part.
In his 14th NBA season he’s averaging four points and almost six boards a game. It’s certainly a far cry from his first four seasons in the NBA with the Clippers when he would average in double figures in points and anywhere from six to eight boards a game.
His career has included stops with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and, last season with the Dallas Mavericks, before he came back to the Clippers, who have put him to good use. His rebounding skills are better than ever, it would appear.
He has lost the scoring touch over the years but has stayed a consistent and effective rebounder. That’s how the Clippers are using him and it could pay off for them in the playoffs. It certainly has in the regular season.
