Preview: Mavericks (8-5) at Lakers (9-5)

Earl K. Sneed previews the Dallas Mavericks' MLK holiday matchup against the L.A. Lakers, as the defending champs try to extend their winning streak to six in forward Lamar Odom's return to the Staples Center.

LOS ANGELES — After spending 11 of his previous 12 NBA seasons as a resident of Los Angeles, Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom makes his return to the Staples Center as a visitor Monday night.

Spending the past seven seasons and winning two titles with the L.A. Lakers, Odom was admittedly shocked to hear his name in trade discussions this offseason. But after originally believing himself to be on his way to New Orleans as part of a package to land point guard Chris Paul, Odom was pleased to learn that he was dealt to Dallas during training camp to join the defending champions.

And after suiting up for a Lakers squad that was swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Mavericks en route to the championship, Odom prepares to face his former team for the first time with a chip on his shoulder.

“People like me in that town. I spent a lot of time there,” Odom said after also playing his first four seasons with the L.A. Clippers. “It will be the first time I have to go home to my house and play for another team. But, I mean, it is what it is. The only way I can truly help this team is to just move on.”

“Well, he helped them get two rings and win a whole lot of games, so I’m sure he’s gonna get a standing ovation and he deserves it,” forward Dirk Nowitzki said of Odom’s return. “He was there for a long time and really made a lot of great things happen there. He won best sixth man last year, so I think he did a lot of great things there. He deserves everything he gets.”

Hoping to help the Mavericks (8-5) continue their current five-game winning streak, Odom also understands how great the challenge is at hand, beginning a four-game road trip against the Lakers (9-5) in a marquee Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday matchup.

Although Odom’s season averages of 6.8 points on 31.2 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists are easily the lowest of his career, the versatile forward could have a breakthrough game on the horizon against his former ballclub. And with Nowitzki expecting a warm reception for the 6-foot-10 big man in his return, the Mavericks hope that Odom’s familiarity with the league’s leading scorer, Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers translates into a sixth straight W.

Even with Odom bolstering the Mavericks’ second unit, the reigning titleholders will have to find a way to slow down Bryant and his recent scoring explosion. Averaging 32.0 points a night, Bryant is also on a personal four-game streak of 40-point games, including a league-high 48 points in a 99-83 win over Phoenix on Jan. 10. The lethal scoring threat will also seek revenge after the Mavs booted him and his two-time championship team out of the postseason.

But despite ending the Lakers’ run as champions, Nowitzki says the two teams aren’t bitter rivals just yet. Still, the 7-footer believes the squads could once again be on a collision course to meet in this year’s playoffs as both teams try to journey back to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

“Well, you know, usually when you’re a rival you’ve got to beat them more than once in the playoffs. I mean, they’ve got five rings, we beat them one time in the playoffs. So, I don’t know about all that,” Nowitzki explained. “We did play a great playoff series last year and were able to beat them and move on and get ourselves a first ring, but I don’t know. It’s always fun games to play there, a great atmosphere and great stadium, so we’ve got to be ready.

“It’s still early. I think all the teams are still trying to find themselves. I don’t think the basketball is quite there where it needs to be,” he added. “You know, it’s gonna be competitive, that’s for sure. Both teams are gonna try to win. We’re gonna try to keep building on this momentum we’ve got and get better as a team. So, we’ll see what happens. But we’ve said it all week, I think when we compete and play with energy on both ends of the floor then I like our chances against anybody.”

Note: The Mavericks begin their four-game road trip Monday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers, the team Dallas swept in the second round of last year’s championship run. That game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT, airing nationally on TNT.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.