Editor's Note: Odom and Lakers Staring at Lose-Lose Situation

The LA Times is reporting the Lakers have pulled their offer to Lamar Odom of three years, $27 million. Odom's agent wants five years with a base salary of $10 million a year, but that's really just a pipe dream. In a situation vaguely similar to the Dodgers' tumultuous negotiations with Manny Ramirez, Odom's best, and as it stands only, option is to return to the Lakers. He could get the five years he wants with Miami or Dallas, but the salary would be nowhere close to LA's offer since the two only possess their mid-level exception. Odom would be a key part of a dynasty-bound team in Los Angeles, but with the Heat or Mavericks he'd only be part of a one-and-done franchise. The Lakers need Odom to be their best player off the bench; if he leaves, the sixth-man role goes to Luke Walton. Both sides need the other to succeed, and if money splits the two apart, they both could face struggles that will make them regret their stubbornness.

NBA Playoffs: Where Upsets Happen

As the Los Angeles Lakers waited for their playoff opener against Utah tomorrow, the NBA Playoffs started off with a bang. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime, stunning the Kevin Garnett-less Irish. Derrick Rose of the Bulls tied the record for most points scored by a rookie in a playoff debut with 36 points. In Cleveland, the Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons, taking a 1-0 advantage in that series. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Spurs 105-97 in San Antonio. Houston defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 108-81 in a series that can have serious concequences for the Lakers.

Kings Take Another Hit

The Los Angeles Kings fell to the Dallas Stars 3-2, a loss that snapped Dallas's 7-game losing streak. The loss takes another toll on the already low-standing Kings, keeping them 11 points out of the playoffs. Brendan Morrison scored two power-play goals for Dallas, and Marty Turco had 26 saves. Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar both scored for LA.

Kings Stay Alive With Win

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Dallas Stars 1-0 in a shootout, and can still make the playoffs as long as they don't lose. Jonathan Quick had 29 saves for LA, while counterpart Marty Turco had 30. Anze Kopitar put the Kings on the board in the shootout, and after Jere Lehtinen tied the game, Justin Williams scored the winning goal. The Kings have eight games left in the regular season.

Lakers Survive Maverick Scare

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-100, their 53rd win of the season. The Lakers had a 15 point lead at one point in the third quarter, but saw it disappear and transform into a 95-89 deficit with 7:13 left in the fourth. The Dallas bench outscored LA's bench 53-12. The Mavs had 34 three-point attempts, making 13 of them, and shot .398 from the field. Kobe Bryant had 28 points and 8 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 25 points and 8 rebounds. Trevor Ariza had a career-high 26 points as he adjusts to being in the starting five. Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 29 points, including 7 three-pointers, and Dirk Nowitzki added 20 points.

Kings Stay Alive with Win

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Dallas Stars in overtime 5-4, and remain 5 points out of a playoff spot. The Kings rallied from a 3-0 deficit, with Anze Kopitar scoring the game-tying goal with 14 seconds left in the third period. Michal Handzus had a hat-trick, scoring his third goal in overtime to give LA the win. Alexander Frolov also scored a goal, and Erik Ersberg made 15 saves on 19 shots. Dallas scored all 4 of its goals in the second period.

Kings Make Statement

The Los Angeles Kings were defeated by the Dallas Stars 3-2 in a shootout, despite the return of key defensemen Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty. The game was an improvement after LA could only muster one goal in their last 2 games. Alexander Frolov scored with 16.9 seconds left to send the game into overtime, and Dustin Brown had a goal as well. The Kings could not score one goal in the shootout, losing to Dallas 1-0 in the SO. Mike Ribeiro scored the SO's lone goal, as well as a goal in regulation.

Clippers Can't Beat Deja Vu, Mavericks

The Los Angeles Clippers were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks 107-102, their 8th straight loss. The Clips had a 5-point lead with 3:30 left, but Dallas went on an 11-1 run to win the game. The Clippers still have not won without Baron Davis, who is only a small part of the players on LA's inactive list due to injury. Rookie Eric Gordon scored 32 points and had 6 assists to lead the Clips, and Al Thornton had 25 points. Marcus Camby is still a monster on rebounding, getting 19 boards to go with 10 points. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 34 points.

Clippers Helpless Without Zach-Attack

The Los Angeles Clippers were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks 98-76, their 21st loss of the season. The Clips were without star forward Zach Randolph, while the Mavs were without star Dirk Nowitzki. LA shot a meek 38% with only one 3-pointer, while Dallas shot .417. Marcus Camby and Al Thornton both scored 16 points to lead the Clips. Camby also snagged 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Baron Davis had 10 points and 9 assists. Josh Howard led the Mavs with 29 points and 9 rebounds.

Clippers Collapse Against Dallas

The Los Angeles Clippers were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks 100-98, falling to 3-14. The Clips had a 12 point lead with 5 minutes to go, but lost most of it with just 1:15 left. J.J. Barea hit the winning 3-pointer, giving the Mavs their only lead of the game. Zach Randolph had 27 points with 10 rebounds for LA, and Al Thornton had 23 points with 9 boards. Baron Davis had 23 points with 6 assists and 2 steals. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 29 points and 10 rebounds.

Lakers A-Rize Over Dallas

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 114-107 to improve to 13-1, their best start since the 01-02 season. After having trailed by 11 points at one time to the Mavs, LA used a 23-4 run to put the game away in the fourth quarter. The Lakers played a messy 2-and-1/2 quarters before jump-starting near the end of the third, shooting in the low .400's at one point. Kobe had his best game of the season with 35 points, as well as 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Derek Fisher gave 19 points, Andrew Bynum had 18 with 10 boards, and Pau Gasol contributed 14 points. Trevor Ariza had his best game in a Lakers uniform with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Jason Terry led Dallas with 29 points, and Dirk Nowitzki had 19.

Kings Keep Going with Win

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Dallas Stars for their fourth victory in a row. Erik Ersberg had 24 saves, and Michal Handzus and Kyle Quincey scored power-play goals to give the Kings the win.

Kings Shootout for the Stars

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Dallas Stars in a shootout. Alexander Frolov scored the winning goal in the shootout against Stars goalie Marty Turco, and Kings goalie Erik Ersberg blocked a shot from Mike Modano in the fifth round to get the win. The Kings scored two goals in the first round, and won the shootout 2-1.

Lakers Come From Behind, Go 6-0

The Los Angeles Lakers did what Barack Obama did exactly a week ago: defeat Mavericks. In the Lakers' case, that would be the Dallas Mavericks. LA defeated Dallas 106-99 after trailing for a majority of the game. Dallas scored 35 points in the first quarter, 60 in the entire first half, but just 39 in the second half. Jason Kidd had a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, and the Lakers used a 30-9 run during the third and fourth quarters to take the lead. Pau Gasol contributed with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum had 11 points and 10 re's. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points, while Lamar Odom finished with 12. The Lakers go to New Orleans tomorrow to play the Hornets.

Clippers Believe, Achieve

The Los Angeles Clippers attained their first win of the season, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 103-92. Dallas tied the score in the fourth, but the Clips went on a 13-0 run to knock off the Mavs. Al Thornton gave LA 17 points, 14 of which were scored in the second half, while Baron Davis had one of his best games with 22 points and 10 assists. Dirk Nowitzki gave the Mavs 33 points.

Kings Beat Strong Case of Blues

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-3 in LA. The Kings scored three goals on power-plays and now are ahead of Dallas in the standings with 12 points.