The week ahead in the NBA

DALLAS AT LAKERS: Monday at 7:30 p.m. TV: TNT.

Lamar Odom returns to Staples Center, where the veteran forward became a fan favorite in his seven seasons with the Lakers for his versatility and flashes of brilliance. Mavericks fans are still waiting for the player who was the NBA’s sixth man of the year last season to show up in Dallas. Odom has been a bust since being acquired from the Lakers for a draft pick and a trade exception after the failed Chris Paul trade, scoring in double figures once in his first 11 games. “I thought my game was equipped to play anywhere and everywhere,” Odom told SI.com. “I’m not prepared, I guess, to play. I don’t know if there is anything more to say.”

— Ben Bolch