Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - January 14

(Basketball News) - Lamar Odom recorded 24 points and Caron Butler scored 21 to help counter the loss of an injured Kobe Bryant, as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 98-94 victory over Cleveland at the Staples Center.

Butler added 11 rebounds while Odom compiled eight boards and seven assists as the Lakers earned their third win in four games despite playing nearly the entire way without Bryant, who suffered a severely sprained ankle midway through the first quarter and did not return.

Bryant suffered the injury after at the 5:39 mark of the opening period when he stepped awkwardly on Cleveland’s Ira Newble after grabbing a rebound. The All-Star had to be carried off the court and into the locker room. X-rays taken were negative and an MRI on the ankle will be performed Friday to determine whether any ligament damage has occurred. Bryant had two points and three assists before exiting.

Los Angeles improved to 18-3 this season when it allows under 100 points.

Odom is averaging 18.5 points and 10 rebounds in his last two contests. He has scored in double-digits in 30 of the 34 games he has played in this season.

The Lakers are off until Saturday when they visit the Golden State Warriors at The Arena in Oakland. Earlier this season, LA defeated the Warriors, 97-88, on December 3rd at the Staples Center.