Bryant passes West

Kobe Bryant played in his 933rd game with the Lakers tonight, passing Jerry West for the second-most games played in franchise history. West played 932 games and still ranks as the club’s leading scorer with 25,192 points. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still leads with 1,093 games played and is second in scoring with 24,176 points. Bryant is third with 23,479 points.

Ticket prices frozen for 2009-10

Following the lead of several other professional teams, the Lakers announced today that they will not raise the price of tickets for next season. “With the current state of the economy, we feel that increasing ticket prices would add to the financial burden that most families and individuals are suffering at this time,” said Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ executive vice president of business operations and daughter of team owner Jerry Buss.

“We are determined not only to continue fielding a team that enjoys a high level of success, but also to keeping our games affordable for our loyal fans, who are the heart and soul of the team,” she continued in a statement released by the team. “Although we are freezing prices for the upcoming season, rest assured that we will continue to do whatever is necessary to bring another NBA championship back to Los Angeles.”

Prices will remain frozen at $90, $115, $155, $220 and $260 for seats in the lower bowl of Staples Center and $10, $35 and $45 for seats in the upper deck.

Sun recalled from D-League

The Lakers recalled guard Sun Yue from the D-Fenders, their developmental league team. Sun, a 6-foot-9 rookie from China, played in four games for the D-Fenders and averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.25 blocks in 36 minutes. The Lakers sent him to the D-Fenders on March 6. They brought him back today. He’s unlikely to play much, however. He has appeared in only 10 games with the Lakers this season, scoring six points in a total of 28 minutes.

Bynum injury update

Andrew Bynum said today that he hopes to be back on the practice court in another week or two. If that goes well, he plans to rejoin the Lakers’ active roster after a week of workouts with his teammates. And that means the 7-foot center would have a chance to play in a handful of games before the playoffs start next month. The Lakers’ final regular-season game is April 14. Bynum has been sidelined by a torn right knee ligament since Jan. 31.

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Final: Lakers 107, Mavs 100

The Lakers squandered a 15-point lead, but rallied from six points down to defeat the Dallas Mavericks by a modest 107-100 today at Staples Center. The Lakers swept the three-game series with the Mavericks, showing they are clearly the superior team. They also showed they are capable of falling asleep and making things interesting. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 28 points, Trevor Ariza had a career-best 26 and Pau Gasol had 25. Jason Terry sparked the Mavericks’ rally and led them with 29 points in a reserve role. If the playoffs began today, the first-place Lakers would play the eighth-place Mavericks.

Halftime: Lakers 66, Mavs 54

Pau Gasol scored 20 points on 10-for-10 shooting in the first half, showing exactly why the Lakers would welcome a first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks next month. The Mavericks have no one capable of stopping the 7-foot Gasol. Dirk Nowitzki couldn’t get it done in the first half. Neither could Eric Dampier. In fact, the Mavericks don’t have anyone who can guard anyone. At least, that’s the way it appeared in the first half. Trevor Ariza added 15 points and Kobe Bryant had 11 for the Lakers. Bryant didn’t score his first points until hitting a jump shot that gave the Lakers a 45-39 lead with 7:19 left in the half.

Three things about the Mavs

First, the Dallas Mavericks, who visit Staples Center on Sunday afternoon, are locked in a seven-team battle to decide the second through eighth spots in the Western Conference playoff race. The Mavericks (40-26) were eighth, but only four games behind the second-place San Antonio Spurs, as of this morning. The Mavericks are coming off a loss Friday against the Golden State Warriors.

Second, Dirk Nowitzki is having another superb season as is Jason Terry. Nowitzki leads the Mavericks in scoring, averaging 25.6 points, and is the league’s fifth-highest scorer. Terry is averaging 19.9 points. However, as Lakers coach Phil Jackson pointed out today after practice, Jason Kidd “is the general.” Kidd positions everyone just so. He is averaging 8.4 assists.

Third, Dallas owner Mark Cuban questioned the Mavericks’ effort after a March 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and threatened to make changes if matters didn’t improve. Cuban isn’t alone in being upset about the Mavericks’ play this season.

“It’s been a frustrating year, not only for him as an owner to watch, but as players,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “We don’t want to have the ups and downs all the time. We don’t want to play well one night and not play well the next. As a player who is used to winning with this organization, it hasn’t been an outstanding, fun year. But you’ve got to make the best out of it.”

Lakers clinch playoff berth

SAN ANTONIO — It sort of crept up on everybody in purple and gold, but the Lakers clinched the Pacific Division title and a Western Conference playoff berth with their 102-95 victory tonight over the San Antonio Spurs. It’s their second straight division championship and 20th in 39 years.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol scored 23 points apiece to lead the Lakers (52-13).

“This is the first step and from here on out we need to keep building the momentum needed to be ready for the playoffs,” Lamar Odom said after returning from a one-game suspension to score 12 points and grab 10 rebounds.

Of his own play after sitting out of the Lakers’ victory Wednesday over the Houston Rockets, Odom said, “I feel like I can play a lot better. I think I was forcing my shots tonight.”

Next: a day off Friday, followed by a practice Saturday and a game Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. Expect light posting Friday, what with no practice and a long day of travel.

Halftime: Lakers 53, Spurs 38

SAN ANTONIO — The Lakers came to play, shooting 64 percent while rocketing to an 18-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Spurs regrouped to cut it to eight in the second quarter, but the Lakers raced away again just before halftime. The Lakers were so good that San Antonio Gregg Popovich was moved to play Drew Gooden for the first time since he signed with the Spurs on March 5. Popovich said before the game that he wasn’t sure he would play Gooden. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 14 points and Pau Gasol had 12. Michel Finley led the sputtering Spurs with 17 points in the first half.

Bynum running again

SAN ANTONIO — Andrew Bynum took another step toward his return to the Lakers’ active roster when he began running on a treadmill earlier this week. He had has no setbacks so far, according to an email team spokesman John Black sent to beat reporters today. Bynum’s first session on the treadmill was Tuesday.

Bynum suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee during a Jan. 31 game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was originally expected to be sidelined for between eight and 12 weeks.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson made it clear Monday that he did not wish to give updates about Bynum, a 7-foot center who suffered a season-ending left kneecap injury on Jan. 13, 2008. Jackson said he would not talk about Bynum until next month.