The Los Angeles Lakers have revenge on their mind as they host the Dallas Mavericks, the team that decisively swept the Lakers out of the playoffs last season, Monday night at Staples Center. A few streaks are on the line as the Mavericks come to town with a five-game winning streak, and the Lakers look for their ninth straight home win.
Kobe Bryant has scored at least 40 points in each of his last four games, his longest such streak since a five-gamer in March 2007. Bryant, leading the NBA in scoring this season at 32.0 points per game, has had a few big games against Dallas in his career. There was the famous game on December 20, 2005 at Staples Center when Bryant scored 62 points in just three quarters, outscoring the Mavs 62-61. Kobe also scored 52 points on March 2, 2008 against Dallas.
This also marks the return of Lamar Odom to Los Angeles, his first trip back since getting traded to Dallas in the preseason for nothing but a trade exception. Odom has struggled so far with Dallas, shooting just 31.2% while averaging 6.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, while only playing 20 minutes per game.
The Lakers won two of the three regular season matchups with Dallas last season.
Monday night's 7:30 p.m. PST game will be televised by TNT. For more Lakers news and information, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.