Games easiest for Odom

On the days when he’s not playing in front of 18,997 fans at Staples Center, or even in front of a hostile crowd on the road, that’s when Lamar Odom feels it the most.

That’s when his mind might wander to what happened over the summer, and the loss of his infant son, Jayden, to sudden infant death syndrome.

Yes, Odom still feels it.

“Sometimes, mostly on practice days,” he said. “Sometimes I come into practice not always focused, forgetting plays we just went over. Game days help. I channel my energy into the game.”

When Odom returned to Southern California in September, three months after his son had passed in New York, he no longer felt comfortable in the Marina del Rey home he was renting, so he moved to Manhattan Beach, where new memories could be forged.

And yet, he won’t forget. He has an oversized T-shirt with his son’s image hanging in his locker.

Through it all, he has had to carry forward on the basketball court, helping push the Lakers to a better-than-expected start.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who recommended Odom seek counseling after sensing his grief over the summer, noticed a lighter side during games this season.

During Sunday’s victory over New Jersey, Odom threw a bad pass that strayed well off the court and into a pack of Laker Girls.

“He came out of it laughing,” Jackson said. “Even though I was going to get up and reproach him for it, I just had to let him go because his humor is good about it and I knew that was a good sign. He didn’t take it personally.”

Odom’s concentration has also improved during games this season, Jackson said.

“One of the things with Lamar that’s always an issue with me is how well he focuses and concentrates during the course of a game,” he said. “He’s the kind of guy who last year, [we’re] calling signals out from the bench -- far end of the court after the first free throw is kind of like a connecting point -- and a lot of times he couldn’t connect.

“This year, I think his focus has been better. I am pleased with that.”

Compared to the first month of last season, Odom’s scoring and shooting have improved, his assists are about the same and his rebounding has dropped off somewhat. He was averaging 19.6 points, eight rebounds, 4.6 assists and shooting 47.2% before Tuesday’s game, when he had 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists against Milwaukee.

Last November, he averaged 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, five assists and was shooting 41.4%.

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The Lakers’ Development League team, the D-Fenders, won a home opener against Bakersfield, 96-92, at Staples Center to improve to 3-0. Former Laker Devin Green scored 14 points for the D-Fenders.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com