Odom says he's doubtful for next two; Jackson refutes that

Daily News: Lamar Odom was on the Lakers’ active roster for Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center, but he could not play for the third consecutive game because of a lingering bone bruise in his right knee. What’s more, he said he might not play in either of their next two games.

“It’s swollen and it’s not stable enough to support a 6-foot-10, 242-pound frame,” Odom said of his injured knee. “I can take pain. If my knee is not able to hold me up, I can’t go out there. I’m going to be cautious with it. I don’t want it to re-occur.

“With a knee (injury) you’ve always got to be careful. … We’ve got to play until June. I listen to myself and I listen to the trainers.”

Asked if he would join the Lakers for their trip to play against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Odom said, “Yeah.”Asked if would play in either game, he said, “I don’t think so.” Asked why he would go on the trip if he can’t play, he said, “I can get treatment twice a day. I’d rather be with the team anyway.”

Lakers coach Phil Jackson was a bit more optimistic. “There’s a chance,” Jackson said when asked if Odom could play on the Texas trip. “He feels a lot better. He worked a little bit (Saturday). I don’t think there’s anything structurally (that can be damaged). It’s about comfort.”

Odom was injured when he collided with Chris Paul of the NewOrleans Hornets in the Lakers’ loss Tuesday.