Gap Between Top Scorers Is Sizable

Not that long ago, when a mini-dynasty dominated the league, the Lakers were continually seeking a No. 3 scorer to complement Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, be it Glen Rice, Derek Fisher or Rick Fox.

Nowadays, the Lakers simply need a No. 2.

Bryant is averaging 32.2 points, second-highest in the league, but no other team has a larger gap between its top two scorers than the Lakers. Lamar Odom is averaging 14.7 points, 62nd in the league.

The Lakers haven’t had such a discrepancy since the 1965-66 season, when Jerry West averaged 31.3 points and Rudy LaRusso was second on the team with 15.4 points per game.

The Laker defense has been stable, shooting up from 27th in the league last season to ninth, leaving the offense to attract some scrutiny after two road games were lost because of inept final-minute sequences.

Odom, in particular, missed late three-point attempts that would have put the Lakers ahead by a point against the Miami Heat and would have brought them to within one point against the Washington Wizards.

Bryant, who averaged 34 points in the two games, was agitated after the Lakers’ 95-91 loss to the Wizards on Monday.

“We still have a lot to learn,” he said.

Odom has filled the stat sheet with 9.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, but his scoring output is the lowest since he averaged 14.6 points in 2002-03, his final season with the Clippers.

The Laker offense is 14th in the league, averaging 96.3 points.

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Heat Coach Pat Riley had a unique angle on Sunday’s trash-talking between Gary Payton and Odom that ultimately led to Odom’s being restrained after moving aggressively toward Payton when the game ended.

“I didn’t see [Payton]. I didn’t hear him. I was just watching the game, watching him play Kobe,” Riley told reporters Tuesday. “Gary, when he does it on the court, he always turns his head to me, so I can’t see his mouth moving. But he must be a master at it if I don’t pick up on it.

“If he can get 21 [points] and [shoot] nine for 11 from the field and play Kobe and has to do a little bit of talking, I’ll let it go. If that’s what gets him going, I’ll let it go. But not too much.”

NBA offices were closed for the holidays, but a spokesman said Tuesday the league would not look into the postgame confrontation between the players.

TONIGHT

vs. Memphis, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 15-13, Grizzlies 16-10.

Record vs. Grizzlies -- 1-1.

Update -- The Grizzlies have made their mark defensively this season, giving up a league-low 86.3 points per game. Memphis forward Pau Gasol is averaging 19.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. The Lakers beat the Grizzlies, 94-79, in the last game of a recent 5-1 trip.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or ticketmaster.com