Bryant’s Numbers Also Feeling Pain

As the Lakers continue to sink in the Western Conference, so do Kobe Bryant’s numbers.

Bryant has been bothered by a slew of double teams, a bruised calf and a not-quite-healed ankle, averaging only 19 points the last four games, all losses.

Bryant’s performance slipped notably in the second half of those games, in which he made six of 37 shots. In the fourth quarter, he scored a combined nine points.

“I’m forced to take 15-, actually 20- or 25-foot jump shots with double teams and the shot clock running low,” he said. “I’ve got to do a better job of getting low position, getting to the block, posting up so when the double team comes, I can split it and get an easy opportunity or kick the ball out to one of my teammates.”

Bryant was particularly ineffective in Friday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, against whom he usually excels. No other player has averaged as many points at Conseco Fieldhouse since 2000-01, according to Stats Inc., but Bryant’s 33-point average there took a hit with a 12-point effort.

Afterward, Bryant referred to his ankle and calf, the latter of which was bruised by Shaquille O’Neal on Thursday in Miami.

“I got kicked there by a size-30 shoe,” Bryant said, providing the only light moment in an otherwise dour locker room Friday.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have many other areas in need of repair, as outlined by Coach Frank Hamblen.

“We don’t have a lot of margin of error with this team,” he said. “We have to rebound, we can’t turn the ball over, we have to get back defensively, we have to take quality shots, we have to shoot a high percentage, we can’t foul the other team more than we get to the line.”

The Lakers trail the Denver Nuggets by 2 1/2 games for the eight and final playoff spot in the West.

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The Lakers can no longer bank on a full house at Staples Center.

The Lakers have had nine non-sellouts at home this season, equaling the total of the last four seasons combined. They had four non-sellouts in 2000-01, none in 2001-02, three in 2002-03 and two last season.

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Forward Lamar Odom, who suffered a strained left shoulder against the Pacers, will undergo an MRI exam today.... Friday’s loss dropped the Lakers to 1-8 in the second game of back-to-back situations on the road.

TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, 6:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 32-33, SuperSonics 44-20.

Record vs. SuperSonics -- 0-2.

Update -- The SuperSonics have struggled lately, losing five of 10. Forward Vladimir Radmanovic, their third-leading scorer and a prolific three-point shooter, is out at least four weeks because of a stress fracture in his right leg.