Lamar Odom gets stitches to close gash

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BOSTON -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom received eight stitches to close a laceration on his forehead above his right eye after the Lakers' 92-86 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

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A collision with teammate Pau Gasol caused the gash with 51.1 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Odom's head struck Gasol's teeth after Odom turned to run back up court after scoring on a tip-in.

Odom had to exit the game because of blood trickling down his face. Lakers trainer Gary Vitti glued the gash together temporarily and applied a bandage so Odom could finish out the game in the final period. The 12-year veteran had six points, six rebounds and two blocks in the fourth quarter to finish with 10, 12 and three for the game, respectively.

"My grandmother used to say, 'Scars give you character,' " Odom said after the game, wincing in pain after coming out of his postgame shower.

Odom is expected to play Friday in New York against the Knicks.

Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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Dave McMenamin

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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Dave McMenamin spent five seasons as a staff writer for NBA.com in New York and Los Angeles before joining ESPNLosAngeles.com to cover the Lakers and the NBA.