Lakers clinch playoff spot under Lamar Odom's 31 point outing

When Dallas looked like they were comfortably ahead, the Lakers stormed back to take the lead and hold on for the win.

The first quarter was pretty much even between both teams, as it was square at 31 points after 1. Kobe Bryant hit two 3 pointers and Pau Gasol posted 10 points in the first quarter. Both teams were money from the field shooting well over 50%, but Dallas was uncharacteristically missing their free throws. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry carried the load for Dallas.

The second quarter was particularly scary for the Lakers because Dallas scored sixteen straight points and went up by as much as 14. Half way through the second quarter, the Lakers had only posted 2 points. With a barrage of free throws, the Lakers traded baskets and ended the quarter down 10 points, 64-54.

In the third quarter, Kobe Bryant hit a driving layup to cut the Dallas advantage to 8. After a Bryant three pointer, the Laker deficit was 6. But the Lakers team defense was sub par as they failed to make stops on the defensive end. They allowed Dallas to shoot 56%. At the end of the quarter, Lakers 80 - Dallas 87.

The fourth quarter was exciting for Laker fans, because they got to see someone take over other than Kobe, showing how much potential this team has for the playoffs after Bynum gets back. Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic both buried three pointers and Lamar Odom hit a jump hook in the lane to cut the Dallas lead to one. After a big three pointer by Jason Terry to push the lead to 4, the Lakers went on a 7-0 run to gain the lead. A beautiful give and go between Gasol and Odom resulted in a Gasol three point play. Kobe Bryant sunk 2 free throws as MVP chants resounded throughout the Staples Center. Vujacic hit the 2 to put the Lakers up for good and the Lakers walked away with the victory 112-108.

Kobe Bryant finished with a double double, 25 points, 10 rebounds, and also added 6 assists. Gasol also had 25 points. The MVP of the game was Lamar Odom, posting 31 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, blocking 2 shots, and dishing out 5 assists. Right now, the Lakers are currently 3rd in the Western Conference and are 1 game up on Phoenix in the Pacific division.