Gasol, Odom are big

SAN ANTONIO -- When the microscope was finally lifted away, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were more active and assertive in Game 4.

After a long 48 hours of scrutiny stemming from their nine-for-29 Game 3 effort, Gasol and Odom combined to make eight of 16 shots and took turns having an impact Tuesday against San Antonio.

Gasol was four assists shy of a triple-double. Odom had eight points in the fourth quarter, emerging from foul trouble to help push the Lakers toward a 93-91 victory.

“It’s what it’s all about -- staying tough,” Odom said. “I got some foul calls. I just kept my composure. We did as a team. We made plays to win the game.”

Odom finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Gasol had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

“I think we were really aggressive the whole game,” Gasol said. “Even though they fought back and they had a chance to win in the end, I think we should be proud of ourselves the way we came in here and won this game.”

------

After averaging 15.8 free-throw attempts a game in the Utah series, Kobe Bryant continued to have trouble getting to the line against San Antonio.

He did not have any free-throw attempts Tuesday in Game 4.

“It’s pretty impossible to take 29 shots and not be fouled,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “Tonight was one of those exceptions, I guess.”

Bryant had four attempts from the line in Game 1, one in Game 2 and one in Game 3.

Game 4 marked the first time since May 2004 that Bryant did not have a free-throw attempt in a playoff game.

Jackson didn’t wait until the end of the game to criticize the referees, telling TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager after the first quarter that the Lakers’ 22-8 lead had disappeared “because of the guys with the whistles, who called some inconsequential fouls.”

The Lakers led after one, 28-23.

------

Bryant provided some details of the Nike viral marketing video in which he was seen “jumping” over a pool of snakes and dunking on a basket at the other end.

Bryant said there were 140 snakes in the pool -- mainly anacondas and red-bellied snakes, but no black mambas because “they’re a little too deadly.”

Bryant, who was shown leaping over a speeding car in another video last month, was asked if he indeed cleared the pool by himself.

“I had a little assistance, maybe,” he said.

From special effects?

“From the HyperDunks [shoes].”

------

Spurs forward Robert Horry continued to struggle in the series, scoring two points in 16 minutes in Game 4. He did not score in the first three games. . . . Lakers center Chris Mihm rejoined the team after staying back in Los Angeles for Game 3 because of intestinal flu. He was activated for Game 4 but did not play. Ira Newble was moved back to the inactive list for Game 4.

--

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com