Sorting through all the offensive and defensive issues that's plaguing the Lakers' reserves, Lamar Odom came to a painful conclusion.

"If I had to grade it," he said, "the last 10 games would be a C and close to an F."

Odom shared that sentiment following Saturday's practice at El Segundo in his typically laid-back and straight forward manner. But his admission last season that he takes personal offense when the bench plays poorly surely means he's not satisfied one bit. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged he's addressed the bench's inconsistency frequently during practice, but without being overly dramatic about it considering the Lakers (52-20) enter Sunday's game against New Orleans (42-31) with a 14-1 mark since the All-Star break.

Once the playoffs start, Jackson also won't rely as much on his reserves. He'll instead hand out more minutes to his starters, changing his approach from developing the team to ensuring victories. Still, a key variable determining how well the Lakers will look entering the postseason hinges on their health and energy level, two variables the bench can alleviate with more consistent play.

"If there's a good thing out of this, it's that you have time to fix it," Lakers reserve guard Steve Blake said. "We have 10 games left for the playoffs to get it out of our system."

Below the jump are five ideas how to do just that.

Stepping foot at the Honda Center parking lot, Luke Walton returned to the site that initially sparked unpleasant memories as a senior at Arizona.

So unpleasant, the Lakers forward playfully chastised a reporter for bringing up the top-seeded Wildcats' 78-75 loss in the Elite Eight to second-ranked Kansas in 2003. Still, some of those memories crept back as he and his former Wildcat teammates Ricky Anderson, Miles Simon and Justin Wessel walked toward the arena to watch Arizona face top-seeded Duke Thursday in the West Regional. They were quickly interrupted, however, with plenty of Blue Devil fans greeting them with jeers.

"They were obnoxious," Walton said. "They were just talking trash, not funny trash or joking around. They were just obnoxious. We didn't respond to them. We just kept walking."

It turns out Walton and his former Wildcat teammates didn't need to talk back. Their alma mater did it for them. Arizona's 93-77 upset over top-seeded Duke featured an effort that Walton described as "perfect basketball" and a product of Coach Sean Miller likely saying something instrumental at halftime. The Wildcats outscored the Blue Devils by 22 points over the final 20 minutes. Sophomore forward Derrick Williams scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the second half. And nearly the entire roster contributed in various ways, ranging from Lamont Jones (16) and Solomon Hill (13). The Wildcats had a 25-9 edge in rebounding and a 24-6 advantage in points in the paint while shooting 58.3% to Duke's 37.5%. The reward: Arizona will face Connecticut Saturday in its first regional final since 2005, the deepest team in the Pacific 10 conference to advance this far in the NCAA tournament since UCLA made the Final Four in 2008.

"Duke is the most talented No. 1 seed," said Walton, who will return to Honda Center today to see the game. "So if they beat them by 20, I don't see why they can't beat the Huskies."

Walton before the Lakers' 112-104 victory Friday against the Clippers sounded happier with the Wildcats' progress than actual concerns if they can stop Kemba Walker and company. Arizona has faced plenty of recent struggles. It's only a season removed from missing the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years. Lute Olson abruptly retired before the 2008-09 season. And the Wildcats' past two regional losses came in dramatic fashion, including a the Wildcats' 90-89 overtime loss to Illinois in 2005 and their aforementioned loss in 2003. Returning to Honda Center won't bring up same painful memories for Walton as they did only two days ago.

"We're just happy we made it this far," Walton said. "We've been struggling for a while. So we're just enjoying the ride."

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers forward Luke Walton will attend Arizona's regional final matchup against Connecticut Saturday at Honda Center. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Game stories

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan explains why the Lakers had a difficult time securing a 112-104 victory Friday over the Clippers.

--The Orange County Register's Janis Carr argued the Clippers don't have enough of a winning culture yet to regularly beat the Lakers.

--The Riverside Press Enterprise's David Lassen credits Kobe Bryant's scoring spree.

--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford credits the Lakers' victory to making plays late in the game.

Notebooks

--The Times' Bresnahan and the Riverside Press Enterprise's Lassen highlights Phil Jackson's argument that the Kings moving to Anaheim isn't a good idea.

--The Times' Lisa Dillman details DeAndre Jordan's return to the Clippers' lineup.

--The Daily News' Teaford compares and contrasts the Lakers and the Clippers.

Sidebars

--The Times' Broderick Turner details Pau Gasol's charitable contributions.

Columns

--The Times' Bill Dwyre criticizes the NBA and its players regarding technical fouls.

--The Times' Mark Heisler remains amazed with Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

--Fox Sports' Billy Witz looks at the tension between the Lakers and Clippers.

Blogs

--ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky breaks down the Lakers' victory over the Clippers.

--ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin lists 10 things to take away from the Lakers-Clippers game.

--Clips Nation's Dennis Lin faults the loss on Eric Gordon having a bad night.

--Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore believes the Lakers' outcome was never in doubt.

--Forum Blue and Gold's Darius Soriano credits the offense from Bryant and Gasol.

Tweet of the Day: "I can't believe I jumped in the air like a silly pirate on drugs" -- ronartest (Lakers forward Ron Artest)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: "Isn't it terrible the way that the Lakers franchise just surpassed ALL expectations as soon as Derek left and when he returned all we could do was compete for Championships in the Finals? I mean, what the heck? Mitch! You're an idiot! RE-SIGN SMUSH NOW!!!!!" -- Jon K.

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers power forward Pau Gasol, who had 26 points and eight rebounds, puts away a dunk against the Clippers in the first half Friday night at Staples Center. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant

Lakers guard Derek Fisher

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson

1. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol played efficiently.

With hopes to post Andrew Bynum in the paint, Bryant pointed in all directions for him to establish position in a late fourth-quarter play. Bryant was unsatisfied with Bynum's base so he yelled "No," went one on one and made a pull-up jumper. That play in the Lakers' 112-104 victory Friday over the Clippers epitomized how he recorded 37 points on 11-of-21 shooting with a team-high six assists.

The aforementioned jumper gave the Lakers a 101-93 lead with 4:07 remaining, but there were plenty of fourth-quarter plays he made that helped the Lakers secure a victory. His steal on Clippers forward Al-Farouq Aminu led to Derek Fisher connecting with him on a fast-break dunk, widening the gap to 91-85 with 7:27. On the next possession, Bryant beat Eric Gordon baseline and found Gasol inside for a four-foot jump shot. And his 13-foot runner gave the Lakers a 105-99 advantage with 2:41 remaining.

"I'm just cranking it up," Bryant said after the Lakers' (52-20) victory gave them a 1 1/2 lead over Dallas for second place in the West improved their mark to 14-1 since the All-Star break. "I'm starting to get into playoff mode, playoff form and being more aggressive."

What distinguished Bryant wasn't his fourth-quarter presence, however. He maintained his scoring dominance with a controlled mindset. His work off the ball and off the dribble set himself up for fadeaway jumpers, runners in the lane and mid-range shots, with nine of his 11 field goals coming off those shots. By no means did Bryant remain passive from attacking the rim. His season-high 14-of-17 mark from the free-throw line revealed his ability to attack, something he's sorely lacked. And he remained open to connecting with teammates, many of them on jump passes, so long as they were open.

"The two days off came at the right time," Bryant said, in regards to treating his left ankle sprain and surgically repaired right knee with weight training, massage therapy and stretching. "I was able to chase those guys tonight."

Gasol had plenty of reason to want to score beyond maintaining his usual efficiency. He pledged to donate $1,000 for every point he scored to help victims affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, an initiative Magic Johnson then pledged to match. Gasol's 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting yielded $52,000.

The effort came on a night when Gasol demonstrated his consistency in hitting mid-range jumpers, including a first-quarter stretch where he hit four consecutive shots. The effort proved arguably as efficient as his newly created Twitter account, which accumulated 19,744 followers as of midnight in only seven hours.

"I look for those shots," Gasol said. "I space out and get those shots consistently. I think they're very effective when I'm from that range. I'm very comfortable catching and shooting from that distance."

2. Chris Kaman threatened to fight Derek Fisher outside following late-game ejection. The stories differ depending on who you ask. Fisher contended Kaman set illegal picks all game long, setting up both of them to collide near the three-point line where Kaman hit Fisher's head with 28 seconds remaining in the game. That in each of them earning technicals and Kaman getting ejected. Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro argued Fisher threw an elbow at Kaman, who then pointed at Fisher and suggested through body language that he meet by the loading dock afterward. The Times' T.J. Simers joked that Fisher has a date after the game.

"My wife is here," he said. "If he's there, that's fine."

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Lakers 112, Clippers 104 (final)

The Lakers made all the plays down the stretch, while the Clippers simply got frustrated.

Late in the game, Derek Fisher and Chris Kaman became entangled, leading to technical fouls.

But Kaman was issued two technicals and ejected from the game.

Behind Kobe Bryant's 37 points, the Lakers now have won 14 of their 15 games since the All-Star break.

Pau Gasol had 26 points and eight rebounds.

Clippers guard Eric Gordon finished with seven points on three-for-14 shooting.

Mo Williams led the Clippers with 30 points and Blake Griffin added 22.

Lakers 85, Clippers 80 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers opened a 13-point lead in the third quarter on a three-point shot by Ron Artest.

But the Lakers refused to play much defense, allowing the Clippers to creep back into the game.

Through three quarters, Mo Williams had 26 points for the Clippers, doing his part to help them. That offset an 0-for-11 performance by Eric Gordon.

Kobe Bryant had 25 points and Pau Gasol had 22 through three quarters for the Lakers.

RELATED:

Lakers-Clippers photos

Lakers-Clippers box score

Lakers 57, Clippers 48 (end of first half)

It became a dunk-athon in the second quarter.

There was Ron Artest driving baseline by Chris Kaman and throwing down a reverse dunk.

There was Shannon Brown driving by Kaman and also throwing down a reverse dunk.

And there was Clippers rookie Blake Griffin throwing down lob dunks.

Among the highlights from Phil Jackson's press conference previewing the Lakers-Clippers game

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson on Lakers-Clippers game

--Jackson tried deflecting the possibility that the Lakers and Bulls meet in the NBA Finals. "Is life really that dramatic?"

--Jackson on whether the New Orleans can keep a seventh seed despite David West's season-ending knee injury: "We'll see. That's a key ingredient team. He's their leading scorer and leading rebounder. He puts a big hole in their lineup."

--Jackson on the Clippers: "Until that culture [changes] with the Clippers, you don't know what they're going to do." He declined to say whether the problem is ownership.

--Jackson on the Lakers' 13-1 mark: "I go to sleep well at night."

--Jackson on the Kings relocating to Anaheim: "There's definitely a push, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen. What other metropolitan area has three teams in it? It's ridiculous to put another franchise in this market. It doesn't make sense. There's so much coverage. You guys are going to be overworked." Jackson didn't definitively whether he thinks it will happen. "I'm not surprised about it. But we're always surprised the Clippers never went there. It seemed like an appropriate place for them to go at that time."

Join the Lakers chat box below the jump

After a while, the Lakers can get tired of answering questions from reporters. The endless probing on the state of the team, state of their own performance and anything else that we come up with on a day-to-day basis can strike a nerve sometimes, especially when the team isn't playing well.

The idea, of course, is that we're asking questions that most sports fans want to know. But in this segment, we're cutting out the filter. The Times' Facebook page asked readers to list questions for me to ask Lakers forward Ron Artest. Ron Ron did his part too, sending out an alert via Twitter.

Following Thursday's practice, Artest was willing to address a wide range of topics. He offered fun answers to offbeat questions, such as why he's reluctant to appear on "Dancing With the Stars" and how long he's been kissing his biceps. He also graciously tackled direct questions, such as what he learned from the Malice at the Palace in 2004 and his comfort level fitting in with the Lakers during his second season.

An excerpt and the first part of the interview can be found after the jump, which includes questions from some of the Laker fans who asked questions on Facebook.

Those going to the Lakers-Clippers game tonight that drive a Honda can avoid the hefty parking fees at Staples Center and L.A. Live. SoCal Honda is offering free parking at a 100-car lot on 926 James M. Wood Blvd, located on corner of Georgia Street and West 9th Street beginning at 5:30 p.m, a So Cal Honda spokesperson. They don't plan to hold any more events for Laker games this season, but acknowledged possibilities in the future. The map above shows exactly where you need to go.

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan talks to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar about Andrew Bynum's progression.

--NBA.com's Steve Aschburner lists Kobe Bryant in third place in the MVP race.

--Bryant talks about playing for Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski with Team USA in the video below.

Even if the Lakers have Kobe Bryant's scoring dominance, the team needs to make every effort to make Pau Gasol the focal point of the offense Friday against the Clippers. Even if Andrew Bynum returns to the lineup since serving a two-game suspension, Coach Phil Jackson should still give Gasol heavy minutes. And whether the Lakers blow out the Clippers, mail it in against them or simply need another triple overtime effort to secure the victory, the Lakers should focus on Gasol scoring by any means necessary.

This surely doesn't sound like the right strategy since the Lakers want a balanced offense, don't want Gasol to burn out and hope to continue establishing a definitive lead over the Dallas Mavericks for the second spot in the Western Conference. But for the sake of charity, executing the aforementioned game plan wouldn't be a bad idea. Gasol plans to donate $1,000 per point he scores against the Clippers for Japan relief efforts, an initiative he also did with Wasserman Media Group last year for Haiti.

"When a natural disaster like that occurs, it affects us all," Gasol said of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11. "You never know where it's going to happen next. It could happen to somebody close to you, related to you or yourself. The world has to team up."

The replay presented enough evidence for Lakers center Andrew Bynum to apologize to Minnesota forward Michael Beasley.

As Beasley cut toward the baseline, Bynum stepped in on help defense, extended his right forearm and sent Beasley to the ground. Bynum wouldn't comment on the incident after his flagrant foul type 2 earned him an ejection in the Lakers' 106-98 victory last week over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nor would he say anything publicly about the incident until following Wednesday's practice after serving a two-game suspension. But seeing the highlight at least convinced Bynum enough he needed to say something to Beasley.

"I just sent him a text saying it was my fault and just seeing if he was all right," Bynum said of Beasley, who left the game because of an injured left hip but didn't miss any games afterwards. "Just because of the way he fell when he watched the replay. I didn't want the guy to get hurt."

But that's the only extent to which Bynum really felt any remorse, a shame considering this incident really should've been a teachable moment for the 23-year-old center. It should've highlighted better understanding on knowing the difference between playing tough and playing off emotions. Instead Bynum revealed after Wednesday's practice that Lakers Coach Phil Jackson and the team didn't address him at all about the foul. He strongly disagreed with the suspension. And he said he took nothing away of the incident other than using the time to improve his leg strength with rubber band exercises, squats, shuttle runs and calf raises.

"I got rest," Bynum said. "That's really it."

This is the twelfth post of a weekly series that helps you get to know the Laker Girls (who, by the way, officially go by one name only)

Laker Girl name: Lana

Hometown: Victor Harbor, Australia

Area of Residence: Orange County, CA

College/High School: University of Washington. I attended many different high schools.

What prompted you to want to become a Laker Girl?I love the Lakers and wanted to dance for the best and most prestigious team in the nation!

What do you think stood out to the judging panel, about you, regarding your audition?I am not sure, there were so many amazing women! (maybe that I am from Australia?)

What do you think makes a good Laker Girl?Someone that loves to dance and that shows it when they perform out on the court. Someone that also likes basketball and the Lakers of course! And lastly, someone that is kind and positive - as we interact with the community of Los Angeles quite a bit.

What is your dance experience?I grew up dancing in a studio since I was 5 years of age. I have experience in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and hip hop.

Favorite dance routine, while being a Laker Girl? I would have to say “Higher Ground” – the music is by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Favorite uniform?I really like our “purple ruffle” uniform.

Favorite Lakers Player?Derek Fisher, he is a great player and also a neat person.

Favorite Laker Girl memory so far?It would have to be, that we had the opportunity to work with Rihanna for the NBA All Star halftime show!

What do you like most about being involved, as a Laker Girl, at local charity/community events?I really enjoy getting to interact with all different types of people. It is also enjoyable being an ambassador for the Lakers organization and feel that I learn a lot about the different communities within L.A./Southern California.

What would you say is your beauty secret?Little corner lashes. When I still want to look good, but I am not at a game, little corner lashes give me just what I need – and they look natural!

What diet/workout tips do you have?What you eat is so important. So, I feel the most vital things are drinking a lot of water, eating a lot of vegetables/fruits and cut out fried foods! It needs to be a lifestyle. Work out at least 30 minutes a day.

What are your hobbies?I love to cook, read, travel and go horse riding (even though I’m not that good).

Career aspirations?I am really interested in Human Rights, especially having to do with child trafficking. I am looking into getting my masters degree in Human Rights and then I will see where it takes me from there.

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

It's hard to miss Andrew Bynum, but he did a good job of avoiding reporters since committing a flagrant foul Friday on Minnesota forward Michael Beasley.

He's back with the Lakers for their game Friday against the Clippers. And he's ready to talk about his two-game suspension.

"I didn't think what I did was deserving of it," he said Thursday after Lakers practice. "I don't think I really did anything too wrong. It was unfortunate that the guy fell the way he did and got hurt. But at the end of the day, sometimes fouls happen."

Bynum was hit with the two-game penalty after his right forearm sent Beasley sprawling to the court. Beasley left the game after taking two free-throw attempts.

The Lakers beat Minnesota after Bynum was ejected and managed to win the following two games without him, though neither was simple: an 84-80 decision over Portland and a triple-overtime 139-137 victory over Phoenix.

"It was crazy to witness that game ... unbelievable," Bynum said.

He had experienced recent swelling in his right knee but stayed off it for two games.

"My knee's feeling all right," he said. "I'm ready to go."

The Lakers don't expect a problem in reassimilating him into the lineup. Neither do they foresee a stamina drop-off after his time away from the court.

"A couple days?" Kobe Bryant said. "Nah, he's still 12 years old. He's fine."

Bynum is averaging 13 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots in his last 10 games.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Andrew Bynum looks on after he was ejected from the game Friday against Minnesota. Credit: Associated Press

---The Times' Mike Bresnahan assesses the Lakers' hunger level.

--The Times' Chris Erskine profiles Lawrence Tanter.

--The Orange County Register's Lori Basheda profiles what might've been the oldest Laker fan.

--ESPN Los ANgeles' Andy Kamenetzky focuses on Lamar Odom's self-accountability.

--ESPN Los Angeles' Arash Markazi highlights Mike Krzyzewski's comments that he wouldn't be interested in being the next Lakers Coach.

--Sports Illustrated's Britt Robson ranks the Lakers at No. 1.

--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford highlights the work the Lakers put in securing a win Tuesday over Phoenix.

--Fox Sports' Billy Witz wonders what it'd be like if the Lakers and Suns matched up in the playoffs.

--Forum Blue and Gold's Darius Soriano argues the Andrew Bynum's proved his value even during his two-game suspension.

--Vote for the Laker Girls in the NBA.com Dance playoffs.

--Lakers forward Ron Artest performs his new single, "Go Loco" on Wednesday night on the Lopez Show.

Tweet of the Day:"Just finished working out with @JustinLaboy my knee is starting to feel much better. Playoffs is almost here!!! #3peat" -- DevinEbanks3 (Lakers forward Devin Ebanks)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day:"All I know is this: the team is ahead of Dallas, Orlando, Miami and Boston. Right now, Chicago is holding the 2nd best record which is holding us back from HCA in The Finals. The next few weeks of the regular season are going to be fantastic. All of these games will count and then it's on to the playoffs!" -- frmkt

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Los Angeles Lakers Ron Artest drives to the basket for a slam dunk past Phoenix Suns Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye in Los Angeles. The Lakers beat the Suns 139-137 in triple overtime. Credit: Paul Buck / EPA

Just a reminder: I will be talking to Ron Artest soon and I will forward him 10 of your best questions. Tell me your questions in the comments threat, at The Times' Lakers Facebook page.

Rewind, fast forward, pause or freeze frame any highlight reel of the Lakers' 139-137 triple overtime victory Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns. Regardless of any clip you stumble upon, plenty of them will emerge that show the 18,997 at Staples Center waving yellow "Los Lakers" towels in a never-ending roller coaster ride.

There was excitement: Kobe Bryant's made a pull-up jumper over Channing Frye that clinched the victory. Ron Artest's somehow leapt for a one-handed dunk. And Lamar Odom provided enough coast-to-coast drives to leave him wanting to eat pancakes afterwards.

There was tension: Pau Gasol made two free throws forced triple overtime, Derek Fisher's hit two free throws to give the Lakers a three-point lead before Phoenix extended to double overtime. And Odom's foul that gave Frye three foul shots to force extra regulation left many biting their fingernails.

And there were theatrics: Bryant bit his jersey as if he forgot to eat his pregame meal. Artest blew kisses to the crowd, flexed his muscles and kissed his own biceps in a routine that left Odom arguing he should be a professional wrestler. And the team embraced after a well-fought victory, bringing a sentimental ending to the game, or soap opera for that matter.

Bring your questions to the chat box below the jump.

Every player is going to have differing lasting images of the Lakers' 139-137 triple overtime win Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will cherish dampening the Suns' slim playoff hopes, just one example of avenging the Lakers' first-round losses to Phoenix in 2006 and 2007. Lakers forward Lamar Odom will forever remember the foul he committed on Channing Frye that gave him three free throws to force overtime. Lakers forward Pau Gasol will cherish the two free throws he hit to force a third overtime. Lakers forward Ron Artest will likely remember the air kisses and muscle poses he demonstrated after hitting key baskets. And Lakers guard Shannon Brown will remember the immediate aftermath involving playing knockout with knockout with representatives from Budweiser, as part of a Lakers' sponsored event.

The Lakers' fifth triple overtime affair since moving to Los Angeles in 1960 also conjures up reflections on the other four contests.

Any time Lakers forward Ron Artest runs a fast break one of three things usually happen.

He either over-dribbles and commits a turnover, he runs like a bull in a china shop and earns an offensive foul, or he misses a layup in ugly fashion. Rarely does Artest dunk, a point he conceded earlier in the season when he said, "I don't jump that high."

He had just enough hops in the Lakers' 139-137 triple-overtime victory Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns, however. When he stole the ball from Suns guard Steve Nash in the third overtime, Artest drove for a fast break and finished with a one-handed dunk, giving the Lakers a 135-132 lead with 1:53 remaining and leaving the 18,997 fans at Staples Center in hysterics.

Artest wasn't done entertaining the crowd. He then stopped and posed, flexing his muscles and kissing his biceps. He shrugged off the theatrics afterward, declaring he was really comfortable basking in the spotlight because he knew what the outcome would entail. "I knew it was going to happen, so half the time I was just on roller skates," he said.

It turns out the antics may earn him a wrestling nickname from Lakers forward Lamar Odom.

"He understands the stage we play on," Odom said of Artest. "He's going to make a great wrestler. He's got the antics and he knows what's going on. He'll hit a guy with a chair. Ron will be one of the best wrestlers ever. His interviews are great and that's what it takes to be one of the champions in wrestling right now. You have to have one of the best interviews."

So here's a two-part contest. What should Artest's wrestling name be and what would be your caption to this photo? On a related note, I will be talking to Artest soon and I will ask him 10 of the best fan-submitted questions. In addition, I'll also forward him the list of wrestling name ideas and photo captions and he'll pick the best one. Feel free to leave questions on the comment threads below or at The Times' Lakers Facebook page. 

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers forward Ron Artest puckers up after his rare dunk Tuesday night. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Laker fans: Anything you have always wanted to ask Ron Artest? I will be talking to the all-star forward soon and we'll forward him your best questions. Feel free to leave questions on the comment threads below or at The Times' Lakers Facebook page. 

Game stories

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan details how the Lakers' prevailed 139-137 in triple overtime Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns.

--The Arizona Republic's Paul Coro explains how the Suns came up short. 

--The Riverside Press-Enterprise's David Lassen credits the Lakers for overcoming adversity.

--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford explains how the Lakers survived a marathon.

Sidebars

--The Times' Broderick Turner highlights Ron Artest's performance against Phoenix.

--The Orange County Register's Janis Carr wonders who will be the next Kobe Bryant.