Odom Is Jazzed About Return

If everything goes as planned, Lamar Odom should return for the Clippers’ game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Odom has missed the last three games because of a strained left calf and said the rest he gets this weekend should help.

“Monday I should be able to go all-out in practice,” said Odom, who is close to completing the longest season of his short basketball playing career.

“For anyone who is in their first season in the NBA, this is the most games you’ve ever played. Of course, there’s been some wear and tear. I’ve played a lot of minutes and my body responded. I’m not saying that I broke down or hit a wall, but right now I’m playing games and I’m straining my calves when I play. Therefore, I have to rest them, treat them and get stronger so I can get back out there.”

Not being in the lineup over the last week has given Odom an opportunity to look at the Clippers from a different perspective. He said he now understands things a little better than he did when he was playing every game.

“It’s been a long season and, of course, I hoped it would be much better,” Odom said. “Winning comes with experience and we started off as the youngest team in the league. I think it can only get better. I don’t see it getting any worse. I hope the tradition is changing, slowly but surely. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

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Maurice Taylor, who has a sprained left ankle, Keith Closs, suffering complications from asthma, and Odom did not practice Friday.