In what continues to be an unpredictable season, the Lakers won a game despite having only scored seven points in the third quarter. How the Lakers managed to win last night's game, I do not know. In a brick-fest that would make any mason proud, the LakeShow needed Derek Fisher to sink in a three to put down the Dallas Mavericks.

Lamar Odom made his return to Staples Center, and was met with a standing ovation. Despite the circumstance under which he left, Lamar Odom made it clear he harbors no ill-will towards the Lakers.

"I've had mixed emotions. Up and down," said Odom of his L.A return. "But, things move on. There's no hard feelings."

He played a decent game, but the same can't be said for his teammates, who like the Lakers, helped resonate the arena with clank after beautiful clank.

Last night's game also marked the end of the 40+ streak Mr. America had going, which resulted in another Player of the Week award. All in all, the Lakers badly needed a win as they head into their first 2-days off before a game on Thursday, I think.

↓ Much more after the jump ↓

Lakers News

• Lakers 73, Mavs 70: Jan. 16 Running Diary | Lakers Blog
• Fisher saves Lakers | NBA.com
• Mike Brown sees Kobe Bryant's scoring as short-term fix | LA Times
• Lamar Odom's return emphasizes the holes left behind | ESPN LA
• Derek Fisher comes through for Lakers in 73-70 win over Mavericks | LA Times
• Kobe Bryant makes a pass at helping the Lakers win | LA Times
• Mike Brown on Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol playing in 2012 Olympics | LA Times
• Lamar Odom still questions Lakers' trade | LA Times
• Playing at Staples is "surreal" for Lamar Odom | OC Register
• Lamar Odom brings his sad state of affairs back | OC Register

NBA.com

• Thunder vs. Celtics | NBA.com
• Nets vs. Clippers | NBA.com
• Bulls vs. Grizzlies | NBA.com
• Most '08 draftees still trying to convince owners to pay up | NBA.com
• Power Rankings: Road trip sinks the Heat | NBA.com
• Plane carrying Pistons makes emergency landing | NBA.com
• Griffin, Clippers beat Nets 101-91 without Paul | NBA.com

ESPN

• Report -- Dwight Howard adds Clippers to trade wish list | ESPN
• Knicks' Carmelo Anthony says ankle good, but wrist bothersome | ESPN New York
• Rapid Reaction: Lakers 73, Mavs 70 | ESPN Dallas
• Blake Griffin of Los Angeles Clippers added to U.S. Olympic team pool | ESPN

ProBasketball Talk

• Boston’s best game still not enough to beat Thunder | ProBasketballTalk
• Draft class of ’08 not getting many contract extensions | ProBasketballTalk
• Coach, McGee self ally-oop disagreement sums up Wizards | ProBasketballTalk
• Report: Dwight Howard adds Clippers to list of places he’d sign | ProBasketballTalk
• USA Basketball announces 20 finalists for Olympic team | ProBasketballTalk
• Dikembe Mutombo allegedly involved in sordid gold scam | ProBasketballTalk
• NBA Power Rankings: Heat slip, Bulls charge into top spot | ProBasketballTalk
• Phil Jackson reached out to Lamar Odom to help | ProBasketballTalk
• Kevin Love offers to buy tickets for Timberwolves fans | ProBasketballTalk

Dime Mag / SLAM Online

• Monta Ellis’ Ridiculous Circus Shot | Dime Magazine
• Dime Caught Up With the Two Bros from the Mavs Bench | Dime Magazine
• Derek Fisher Beats Dallas; Boston Loses Their 5th Game In A Row | Dime Magazine
• A Tour Inside The Brand New Detroit Pistons Locker Room | Dime Magazine
• Report: Dikembe Mutombo Involved in Major Gold Scam | SLAM Online
• Video: Derek Fisher Nails Game-Winning Three vs Dallas Mavericks | SLAM Online
• Video: Kevin Durant in New Nike+ Ad | SLAM Online
• Video: Blake Griffin Posterizes Kris Humphries | SLAM Online

Blogs and Other Links

• Shaquille O'Neal bonds over basketball with his TNT analyst friends | LA Times
• Lamar Odom returns to LA with Mavericks | Yahoo! Sports
• Curry passed over for Olympic tryouts | Yahoo! Sports
• Phil Jackson Reached Out to Lamar Odom During Tough Time | Lakers Nation
• LA Times Catches Up with Lamar Odom at Mavs Practice | Lakers Nation
• The suprising Jazz a blend of old and new | NBA Playbook
• Look Homeward, Angel | Searching For Slava
• Lakers/Mavericks: Derek Fisher? Yes, Derek Fisher! | Forum Blue & Gold
• Kobe passes on game-winner, Fisher hits 3 | Eye On Basketball
• Heat giving nothing on Wade's timetable | Eye On Basketball
• Clippers now fourth team on Howard's list? | Eye On Basketball
• JaVale McGee oops self, gets benched for it | Eye On Basketball
• Report Card: Anderson and Orlando work some magic | Eye On Basketball
• Mutombo caught up in $10 million gold scam | Eye On Basketball
• Is Ryan Anderson the Most Improved Player? | Eye On Basketball

The Basketball Jones

• Ivan Johnson doesn’t watch basketball | The Basketball Jones
• Pick-and-Pop: The scientific dawgness of Kobe Bryant | The Basketball Jones
• Video: Chandler Parsons dunks all over JaVale McGee | The Basketball Jones
• How the Wizards could be the worst team ever | The Basketball Jones
• The Mom Report: ‘Detroit Piston Moaned’ | The Basketball Jones
• Ep. 740: Winners, Losers and Buzzers | The Basketball Jones

Multimedia

• Mavericks vs Lakers Gallery | Lakers.com
• Fisher's Game-Winner | NBA.com
• Fans from Monday's game | OC Register
• Video: Derek Fisher hits game winner for Lakers | ProBasketballTalk
• Video question: Terrible shot or crafty assist? | ProBasketballTalk
• Video: JaVale McGee with the ally-oop to himself | ProBasketballTalk
• Video: Derek Fisher Nails Game Winning 3 pointer vs. Mavs | Lakers
• Mavericks at Lakers HD Highlights | JD2K