Lakers 114, Rockets 106 (OT)

The key to effective defense is chatter, according to Lamar Odom. He said after tonight's overtime victory over the Houston Rockets that the Lakers aren't talking enough on defense, calling out picks and advising each other on the whereabouts of the opposition.

"If you pass a park in my neighborhood (in New York City) and you see the guys playing 3-on-3, all you hear is chatter," Odom said. "That's what they call it in baseball. We don't have any chatter right now and it's hurting us defensively. ...

"Yeah, communication, you know. Things are always better when you communicate. If you have a girlfriend, you know that. You know what I mean. We need to communicate with each other better. It just makes us stronger."