Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol Ailing

Two of the Lakers are struggling to overcome illnesses: Lamar Odom has been at practice, albeit with an upper respiratory infection, and Pau Gasol has been skipping practice due to a case of strep throat and may not be able to play in Friday’s game against Miami. Odom briefly left Tuesday’s game against the Knicks during the second quarter but was still at practice the next day, although he was coughing while being interviewed by reporters afterward. Odom told the L.A. Times, “I’ve got to be ready to play long minutes because [Gasol] will probably be fatigued. Plus, we’ve got a six-hour flight [east]. That sure doesn’t help.”

Gasol skipped Tuesday’s game against New York because Lakers Coach Phil Jackson didn’t know if he’s be available for the beginning of the team’s important four-game trip. Josh Powell filled in for Gasol, logging 16 minutes against the Knicks and ending up with five points, four rebounds and two assists. Jackson said, “He’s an aggressive offensive rebounder and does a really good job defensively on screen and rolls.”

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Posted in General on December 18, 2008

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