Odds & Ends: Odom, Knicks, Griffin

ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell tweets that the Bulls are 19-0 when scoring 100 points or more on the season. Tom Thibodeau's squad will take their talents to Madison Square Garden this afternoon where they'll face a defensive-minded Knicks team fighting for their playoff lives. As the Knicks embark upon one of their toughest stretches as they close out the season, we look around the league to catch up on the latest news and happenings. 

  • The Mavs' ability to rely on anyone and everyone to contribute in a victory has taken a hit this season thanks to the disappointing play of offseason acquisition Lamar Odom. Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com wonders if Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle and the rest of his team have given up on Odom, who has been afforded myriad opportunities to prove himself as a legitimate contributor to the squad's success. The former Rhode Island star, 32, is currently averaging 6.6. PPG and 4.2 RPG, both career lows, through 50 games with the Mavericks.
  • While the Knicks could probably use more depth at the point guard or power forward addition, the team did bring back a famous big man to help assist with player and community relations, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Larry Johnson, or more affectionately dubbed "Grandmama," was an integral part of the talented Knicks teams from the mid-to-late 90s after arriving from the Hornets in the summer of 1996.  The addition of the former four-time Knicks captain follows New York's recent trend of adding former players to the team's staff.
  • Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld wonders if Lob City superstar Blake Griffin can continue to improve like fellow Western Conference power forward Kevin Love. While Griffin's points per game and rebounds per game are down as compared to his rookie season, Brigham points out that Griffin's PER has improved from 21.9 to 22.9, perhaps as a result of key offseason acquisition Chris Paul's ability to maximize the production of his fellow teammates. Brigham suggests the addition of a reliable jump shot and improved defense as two areas where the already-dominant Griffin could work on to take his game to the next level.
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