Lamar Odom

In a game the Lakers absolutely had to have, Lamar Odom stepped up and had his best game of the season.

The Lakers had just eight games remaining in the regular season coming into Friday night’s home tilt against the Mavericks, and they held just a one-game lead on the Suns in the Pacific DIvision.

Holding on to that position would give them the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs if the season were to end today.

Odom was determined to keep that lead intact, as he exploded for a season-high 31 points, to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as Los Angeles overcame a two-point deficit with less than 90 seconds left and pulled out a 112-108 victory.

The key basket in the final minute was set up by Odom as he was the middle man in a give and go that ended up in the hands of Pau Gasol, who finished it with a three-point play to give the Lakers a two point lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

With Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Odom all in the lineup at the same time, Odom has routinely sat back and taken over the rebounding duties, but it was his 12-of-14 shooting that keyed this win and keeping the team within a game and a half behind the Hornets for the Conference’s best overall record.

And they’re in this position today primary due to Lamar Odom’s contributions.

For that, we give Odom some MAD LOVE today!