Odom a Triple Threat as Heat Beats Kings

Lamar Odom thinks he could have played better Saturday. After all, he did miss five free throws.

The Miami Heat, however, were thrilled with his performance: 30 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists to help beat the Sacramento Kings, 102-96.

It was the Heat’s first triple-double in nine years, the fourth in franchise history and the eighth for Odom. He achieved a season high in points and a career high in rebounds, and he matched his career high in assists.

“That’s my favorite part of basketball -- getting triple-doubles and filling it up a little bit,” Odom said. “If there’s one stat I could have, that would be it, whether it’s 10-10-10 or big ones like this. I’ll remember this game for a long time.”

Working mostly against Chris Webber, who returned this week from knee surgery, Odom went 11 for 18 from the field and seven for 12 from the line. He also had two steals and a block in 45 minutes and was at his best down the stretch.

“It wasn’t a complete game,” Odom said, “bad night from the free-throw line.”

Teammate Eddie Jones was only one for eight from the field but made three free throws in the final 23 seconds and played smothering defense against Peja Stojakovic. Sacramento’s top offensive threat went four for 13 and scored 14 points.

Mike Bibby had 24 points and Webber 22 for the Kings, who fell behind by 13 points in the second quarter.

“We didn’t do a thing in the first half,” Coach Rick Adelman said. “We were in another place. I don’t know what was going on.”

The Kings, who shot 39%, came into the game with the NBA’s best record but fell to 20-3 against the Eastern Conference.

“It seems we beat the best teams, then lose to the lower-caliber teams,” Webber said. “We have to remember that now we’re not under the radar anymore. And whether they make the playoffs or not, a win over us can make their season.”

Miami used only seven players to beat the Kings. Rafer Alston had 20 points, seven assists and just two turnovers in 46 minutes. Reserves Rasual Butler and Udonis Haslem each had 17 points.

And then there was Odom. The 6-10 forward was all over the floor, often running the offense from the point.

“That was a phenomenal performance,” Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “There haven’t been many better than that in the NBA this year. He had a very favorable matchup, and he made great plays.”