Lamar Odom gives Lakers a boost in win over Grizzlies

Lamar Odom made a three-pointer to push the Lakers’ tenuous lead to five points midway through the fourth quarter Monday night, forcing the Memphis Grizzlies to call a timeout.

As Odom approached the Lakers’ huddle, he was yapping at Coach Phil Jackson. Jackson snapped back at Odom. Then the two of them smiled. Odom’s teammates also laughed.

It was another big moment by Odom, a moment when he delivered for the Lakers during their 93-84 victory at FedEx Forum, the second in a row to start a seven-game trip.

Jackson explained that he’s continually jumping on Odom for just “giving” the ball to Kobe Bryant all the time “and just running away.”

But Jackson said he decided to call the play for Odom this time.

“He just said, ‘You should be calling that number more often,’ ” Jackson said.

Odom got his number called enough to score 15 points on five-for-14 shooting.

When asked what he said to Jackson during that timeout with 6:18 left, Odom laughed.

“I just told him good call,” Odom said. “During the game, he’ll say more to me than after the game. That’s just the dynamic of how we communicate.”

Odom finished with a double-double, his 11 rebounds going a long way toward helping the Lakers win. It was his 21st double-double of the season.

Odom said he’d like for Jackson to give him more “free rein” to run things when he comes off the bench. But he understands that’s not always going to be the case.

On Monday night, Odom seemed to be given more opportunities.

“On this team I cannot score the whole game and then put myself in position to get a layup,” Odom said. “I can play off these guys as well as create my own shot.”

Odom’s three-pointer was the start of an 11-0 run by the Lakers in the fourth.

After his three-pointer, Ron Artest made a three-pointer.

Then Odom scored on a layup while being fouled. He made the free throw for a three-point play.

It was the way Odom scored that made the basket impressive.

Pau Gasol was double-teamed, so Odom cut down the middle of the lane, took the pass and scored on a layup.

“I had a decent shooting night,” Odom said. “I scored the ball.

“Playing off Kobe and Pau and being able to find my own offense, within the offense, I get enough looks. Sometimes they go, sometimes they don’t. But the key is staying prepared so that any position that you’re in, you’re ready to kind of deliver.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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