No practice, still some news

The Lakers went into full video mode today (OK, everything's on DVD's now, but whatever, you get the idea, right?). They studied some stuff in advance of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. Lakers coach Phil Jackson had them looking at the differences in shot selection. See how the Rockets' shots are in the paint and the Lakers' shot are outside the paint? There were a couple of other items of interest, too.

Luis Scola got the Rockets' pointed in the right direction by scoring 18 of his playoff career high of 24 points in the first half of Game 6 on Thursday night. Aaron Brooks, their speedy guard, kept them on the right course by scoring 15 of his 26 points in the second half. Asked who has been the greater threat, Scola or Brooks, Jackson said, "We're going to consider everyone a problem going into the game on Sunday."

The Lakers asked the NBA to review the technical foul called on Kobe Bryant late in the second quarter of Game 6, and league officials agreed to rescind it. Bryant was involved in a chest-bumping collision with Houston's Ron Artest with 2:03 remaining in the first half. Artest was whistled for a foul and Bryant got a technical. Bryant and Artest have had a couple of run-ins during the series, including a confrontation that led to Artest's ejection from Game 2. Artest believed Bryant had elbowed him and said so after attempts at justice with referee Bill Spooner didn't pan out.

The Lakers did not have a formal practice after their video session, which gave Lamar Odom a much-needed break from the court. He suffered a bruised back in Game 4 and has been sore ever since falling to the floor midway through the third quarter. "We hope he's improving," Jackson said of Odom, who had eight points and 14 rebounds in Game 6. "There's only an upside for him from here on. We're hopeful he comes back and plays with energy for us (Sunday in Game 7). He rebounded well (Thursday) night for us, so that was good."

Jackson said he might tweak his rotation for Game 7, but wasn't specific. Backup guard Sasha Vujacic suggested he might be the one whose playing time is given to others. Vujacic scored two points in only 6 1/2 minutes in Game 6.