Lovin' Lamar Odom ... NOT

Lamar Odom's offense in the fourth quarter was a huge reason the Los Angeles Lakers escaped in overtime of the NBA Finals' Game 2.

Odom also was the reason they didn't put the game away a lot sooner.

The Lakers survived what has become the Orlando Magic's typical bounce-back game, winning 101-96 Sunday night to take a 2-0 series lead. You just knew the Magic weren't going to lie down after getting thrashed 100-75 in Game 1.

It was Odom who hit the game-clinching free throws with 22.1 seconds in the extra session to cap a 19-point performance.

Thanks, L.O. Now, apologize for making your team have to scrap for five extra minutes to avoid going to Orlando with the series tied at 1-1.

Oh sure, the stats look nice: 8-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds and three crucial blocks. He also scored L.A.'s first four baskets of the fourth quarter.

Just wanted to give credit where credit it due before I make like a credit card company and pile on the charges.

Actually, it's only one charge -- where on God's green earth, much less Staples Center, was Odom's defense on Magic sharpshooter Rashard Lewis in the second quarter?

Lewis exploded 18 of his game-high 34 points in the quarter. The rest of the Magic team scored a total of two points in the quarter.

If Odom doesn't give Lewis room to get into a rhythm, the Orlando doesn't stay within single digits of the Lakers in the first half. Several of those open shots Lewis had were a result of Odom's loss of focus in his defensive assignment.

Turns out that Odom's gaffes had a domino effect on his teammates.

The L.A. defense, so rock solid in Game 1, became a lot less sure of itself after Lewis got hot. The rotations weren't as decisive. Players weren't as sure where to bring help, and Hedo Turkoglu also ended up getting into a rhythm.

Those dressed in purple and gold began to have several communication lapses, which nearly led to disaster. Courtney Lee somehow ended up with a layup attempt off a screen during the out-of-bounce play in a tie game with 0.5 seconds left in regulation.

As a Lakers fan, I can say with confidence that if Lee makes the layup, this blog doesn't exist because I'd be too enraged to type. Maybe that would've been a good thing. I dunno.

Anyway, the Lakers can live with Lewis making jumpers inside the arc. L.A. showed in Game 1 how discouraged the Magic can get when they can't hit 3s. But when Lewis gets going from 3-point range, he makes the Magic a much more dangerous offensive team. Hence, the overtime Sunday night.

Many so-called NBA expert analysts say when Odom is on his game, the Lakers are impossible to beat. That may be true, but Odom has had so few nights when he's been completely on his game, it's also impossible to tell.

Odom's versatility obviously is a great weapon for L.A., but he still has a soft spot in his game that shows all too often. He doesn't finish strongly enough around the rim for my taste. Too many players are able to rip rebounds out of his hands. And he often loses focus for stretches.

It's the reason I've never developed a soft spot for him.

So while Odom may have been instrumental in the Lakers' Game 2 victory, he also might have given the Magic the momentum they need to make a series of it when they go home to Orlando.