Post All-Star blahs?

The Lakers led the Atlanta Hawks, 45-36, at halftime tonight. Nothing wrong with a nine-point lead at intermission, but the Lakers seemed to be playing down to the level of their competition, which is never a good thing.

The Hawks shot poorly (37.8 percent), and so did the Lakers (40 percent). The Hawks threw the ball away (10 turnovers), and so did the Lakers (nine turnovers). The Lakers hammered the Hawks on the boards, 32-23, which was a positive sign.

Lamar Odom had 11 rebounds, his fourth straight game with 10 or more. Kobe Bryant had only four points in the first half. Mike Bibby led Atlanta with nine points.