LAKERS NOTEBOOK: ODOM STILL IN THE ROLE OF INSIDE MAN.

Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer

With an eye on the playoffs, Lakers coach Phil Jackson opted to start Luke Walton for the third consecutive game Friday and match up Lamar Odom inside.

Jackson first made the change Sunday, having Walton take Clippers forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who connected on five 3-pointers in a game earlier this season against the Lakers, and assigning Odom to Elton Brand.

The topic of whether Odom is best served defending power forwards or small forwards has been much debated since the versatile 6-foot-10 forward arrived in the Shaquille O'Neal trade.

Odom can take advantage of his rebounding skills against power forwards and avoid having to fight through screens to stay with smaller shooters on the perimeter. But Odom also is in for a greater pounding playing in the post on defense.

"The game is a little bit more physical when you're guarding power forwards," Odom said. "Your mindset changes on defense on things you need to do, how you need to protect the basket a little bit more."

The Lakers have had to improvise since losing starting center Chris Mihm to a severe ankle sprain last month. They moved Kwame Brown to center and started Brian Cook but Jackson was concerned about Cook being overmatched against power players.

Jackson also is trying to "acclimate" Odom for a likely matchup against Phoenix's Shawn Marion in the first round of the playoffs. The Suns' starting frontcourt of Marion, James Jones and Boris Diaw all is 6-foot-8 or smaller.

As for Mihm, Jackson said he did not anticipate leaving him off the Lakers' playoff roster.

--Last shot: The terrific NBA site 82games.com has an interesting stat examining game-winning shots. The criteria is that such a shot take place with 24 seconds or less remaining and the team with the ball either being tied or down by one or two points.

Kobe Bryant has connected on only 7 of 32 game-winning shots the last three seasons, including the playoffs. Denver's Carmelo Anthony is by far the league leader, having hit 11 of 17 shots.

Bryant's 21.9 percent conversion rate is below the NBA average of 29.2 percent. The site also notes that Bryant has not had an assist on a game-winning shot during that time. Even so, Bryant has gotten to the line to hit 8 of 9 free throws in such situations.

--Good word: Odom voiced support for Portland's Darius Miles, who was sent home Thursday after apparently defying coach Nate McMillan and changing from his uniform into a suit at halftime of Wednesday's game with the Clippers.

"I was disappointed to hear that because that's my friend," Odom said. "But Darius is a really good person, and I'm pretty sure he was just a little upset."

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