Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom will start in place of the suspended Ron Artest at small forward in Game 3 for the team’s second round series against the Dallas Mavericks.
The 2010-2011 6th man of the year filled in as a starter at small forward for 35 games this season when center Andrew Bynum was sidelined due to a knee injury and Pau Gasol shifted to center.
He averaged 16.3 points and 10.2 rebounds as a starter and 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds as a substitute. In the first two games of the Lakers second round series against the Mavericks Odom has averaged 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds off of the bench.
While Odom has experience at small forward the news of him starting in Game 3 comes as a bit of a surprise. The Lakers used the frontcourt lineup of Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for less than three total minutes during the regular season
Odom practiced with the starting unit and at shoot-around on Friday. When asked if he would be in the lineup, Odom responded, “As far as I know I am [starting].”
Artest was suspended one game without pay for his foul on Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea in Game 2 of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
With Game 2 already decided, Artest reached out and clotheslined Barea. He was immediately ejected after picking up his second technical foul. Artest was given a flagrant foul 2 on the play.
Odom will start in place of Artest in Friday’s Game 3 in Dallas, with the Mavericks leading the best-of-seven series 2-0.
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