Lakers can win 73

If you’ve followed the NBA long enough, you know there’s a talent requirement that the past champions have had on their way to glory.

The number is 2.5.

With the exception of the 2004 Pistons, you can make the case that whatever team was left standing at the end had two legitimate stars, plus one major contributor on the roster. As Nate McMillan attested Sunday, the Lakers clearly have the number covered and then some.

Following the thrashing of his Trail Blazers by the league’s racing-fuel-octane-level offense, the Blazers’ coach offered up a statement that left no room for interpretation.

"Lamar Odom, right now, he’s an All-Star," said McMillan.

Throw in Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and a new-and-improved Shannon Brown to the already-solid rotation and it looks as though the Lakers have a serious shot at a league-record 73 wins.

Lakers have the fewest set of the back-to-backs (15) and don't truly face a test until Miami brings its show to town on Christmas Day.

So if the Lakers can stay healthy and continue clicking on all cylinders, who's really going to stop them?

Brandon Roy, Portland’s All-Star guard who was harassed by Ron Artest into a miserable 1-of-6 shooting night on Sunday, was clearly frustrated at his performance after the Blazers' 129-96 meltdown in L.A.

Lakers beat Nuggets 102-95

Kobe Bryant had 18 points and eight rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter and Lamar Odom teamed with four Los Angeles Lakers reserves to help preserve a 17-point lead and hold off the Denver Nuggets for a 102-95 exhibition victory on Saturday night.

Odom and reserve Devin Ebanks each had 14 points for the Lakers, who returned to Staples Center for the first time since beating the Boston Celtics in the Game 7 of the NBA finals on June 17 to win their second straight championship and 16th in the franchise history.

Six Nuggets scored in the double digits, including the former UCLA star Aaron Afflalo with 20. Carmelo Anthony, the subject of non-stop trade speculation ever since he thumbed his nose at a three-year, $65 million extension the Nuggets offered him in June, was rested by coach George Karl after getting 30 points and 24 rebounds Thursday night in a 100-95 victory over the Clippers.

Barcelona beats Lakers 92-88

Juan Carlos Navarro scored 25 points to help Barcelona to beat the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers

92-88 in an exhibition on Thursday.

Spanish center Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 24 points but had only one field goal in the second half. His homecoming was spoiled by the Euroleague champion in a game that lived up to the billing of an informal intercontinental showdown.

"You always want to win, but it was an emotional game," Gasol said. "The fans enjoyed it, and the atmosphere was spectacular. We lost, but when your friends win you have to be happy for them."

The Lakers blew a 12-point advantage in the second half and were outplayed down the stretch after the game was tied at 72 midway through the fourth quarter.

"They played much better in the fourth quarter," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, ruing his team's turnovers. "We anticipated they would not take a back seat and that they would be very physical. They did a good job doubling Pau in the second half and making him go to the foul line for his points."

Kobe Bryant played 25 minutes, compared to six on Monday in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he recovers from knee surgery.

He scored 15 points but went 2 for 15 from the field and missed two 3-pointers with a chance to tie the game with under a minute to play.

Bryant said his knee was feeling good, but Jackson said his guard played above his fitness level.

Lamar Odom -- Odd Man Out in Spain

Right after the Los Angeles Lakers landed in the Spain on Tuesday -- Pau Gasol took his teammates for a night out in his home country ... everyone except the Lamar Odom.

TMZ has learned ... Odom didn't make it out with the boys because he didn't have a thing to wear -- because when the Lakers' private jet touched down in the Barcelona, his luggage was nowhere to be found.

Apparently, it's not exactly easy for a 6'10", 230-pounder to roll into a store and pick up an outfit at the last minute.

Odom has since been reunited with his baggage ... and all is right with the world.