LAKERS NOTEBOOK: MAVS SEEK BANNER DEFENSIVE EFFORT.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

DALLAS - On the walls surrounding their practice court, the Dallas Mavericks have a series of motivational banners more appropriate for a high school team than one tied for the Western Conference's best record at 37-10.

They read ``Take the defensive challenge'' and ``Keep your man in front of you.'' The results speak for themselves as the Mavericks, previously defense-challenged, have won 11 games in a row and haven't given up 100 points in any of them.

If defense is about pride, the Mavericks will have the chance to regain theirs tonight at American Airlines Center. They will see Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for the first time since Bryant scorched them for 62 points in three quarters on Dec. 20.

It was a memorable night, even after Bryant went out and scored 81 against the Toronto Raptors barely a month later. The Raptors will have to wait until next season for payback; the Mavericks will get their chance tonight.

``They've got a lot of players that are his size that they can throw at him,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

That list would start with Adrian Griffin and Josh Howard, both of whom tried and failed to stop Bryant in his 62-point barrage. Through three quarters, Bryant outscored the Mavericks 62-61 by himself, with the Lakers leading by 34 points.

(As Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki said the next day, ``That's what American sports are - a one-man show, I guess.'')

Bryant had 30 in the third quarter alone and did not go back out in the fourth with the game so one-sided. He also scored 43 points against the Mavericks in a Dec. 12 game, drilling an improbable 3-pointer with 34.9 seconds left to give the Lakers the victory.

``The times we played them this year were games where I couldn't afford to sit in the pocket and wait,'' Bryant said.

He can't afford to do so again tonight with the Lakers having lost three in a row and likely to be without injured forward Lamar Odom and center Chris Mihm.

Bryant had a three-word answer Saturday night in Oklahoma City when asked about a Mavericks team bent on revenge - ``Bring it on,'' he said - but he seemed to acknowledge the reality of his situation at practice Monday.

Ever since his 81-point game, Bryant has faced double-teams every time he has touched the ball, whether in the post or in the backcourt. The Mavericks, with Howard clotheslining Bryant in the last game, are likely to be no different.

``In the past, if I got hot, they just let me get hot and say, 'One man's not going to win this game,''' Bryant said. ``That philosophy's kind of changing. When I get hot, I start getting on a roll, they just send everybody over.

``We'll work on spacing the floor and taking advantage of those opportunities. Not where we're shooting 3-pointers like we did last game (35 in all), but where we're getting high-percentage shots at the basket.''

At least Bryant still can crack a joke. He was asked Monday about people who think he could match Wilt Chamberlain by scoring 100 points in a game.

``They probably believe in UFOs, too,'' Bryant said.

--Injury update: Odom (rib injury) and Mihm (right shoulder sprain) both showed slight improvement Monday. The Lakers said both players were doubtful for tonight, though Odom did attempt to practice.

Forward Ronny Turiaf still has paperwork to complete this morning in Toronto regarding his visa. He is expected to return to Dallas in time for the game, but it is questionable as to whether he will play.

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com

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- Ross Siler