Odom Will Play In D-League Before Return To Mavericks
DALLAS (AP) -- Lamar Odom will play a game in the NBA Development League before rejoining the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks said Friday that Odom had been assigned to the Texas Legends. He will be in uniform for the D-League team's home game in Frisco on Saturday night.
Odom last played for the Mavericks on Feb. 20. He missed their last game before the All-Star break against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and two more games this week. The Mavericks said he has been away due to a family matter.
Coach Rick Carlisle said Odom will return Sunday.
"He has to come back and play his (butt) off," Carlisle said. "He's got to play hard, got to be into it and that's it."
Dallas is playing nine games in 12 days, including at New Orleans on Friday night and at home Saturday against Utah.
Odom is averaging 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds in 32 games in his first season with Dallas. Those are his lowest numbers in both categories in his 13-year NBA career.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
