Lamar Odom won't play tonight against the Lakers, which doesn't help the Clippers' chances for a victory, but does give Coach Alvin Gentry the shorter bench he has been seeking, according to the LA Times.

Gentry used only eight players in Monday's victory over the Denver Nuggets, down from the customary 10 he has employed for most of the season.

Once Odom's sprained right wrist is healed, it's possible that one (or more) of those eight also will be on the bench. The players seem to sense that playing time will be tougher to come by, which Gentry hopes will produce increased competition for minutes. Gentry was pleased to see shooting guard Eric Piatkowski record a career-best nine assists in an off-shooting game Monday.