LOS ANGELES - The way Phil Jackson described Sasha Vujacic before Friday night's game, you'd think he might send the Lakers guard to visit the Wizard of Oz.

Asked about Vujacic's tendency to engage in soap opera histrionics every time an opposing player mouths off to him or a call goes against him, Jackson said semi-seriously that Vujacic sometimes plays as though "he just doesn't have a brain."

"We've just had to come to the conclusion that Sasha is just an emotional player that plays by the seat of his pants, and that's about it," Jackson said. "He's just whacking away, working really hard, but a lot of times he's just playing by the seat of his pants. He's not using his head out there at times."

Vujacic thrives off his passion and intensity on defense, drawing offensive fouls by serving as an irritant or throwing opposing guards off-kilter by getting under their skin. Sometimes, however, his emotion can also work against him, as it did in Tuesday's loss to New Orleans when early foul trouble had him wringing his hands in frustration and kneeling on the court in prayer.

Vujacic picked up five fouls in only 10 minutes that night, struggling to stay in front of guard Chris Paul on screen and rolls. He dialed down his emotions on Friday against Indiana, scoring eight points in 28 minutes.

"Phil's right. I shouldn't let my emotions come out. I get the message, very clearly," Vujacic said. "From now on, you guys are going to see it."

Radmanovic gets a 'T'

Vladimir Radmanovic defended his actions after picking up a technical foul for scuffling with Indiana's Jeff Foster with 58 seconds remaining and the Lakers holding a three-point lead.

After Mike Dunleavy drew a foul on Derek Fisher driving to the basket, Foster went over Radmanovic's back to try for a rebound well after the whistle blew. Radmanovic took exception to that, jawing at Foster and throwing an elbow in his direction until teammates pulled the two players apart.

"He came out and jumped on me for no reason," Radmanovic said. "I had to get him off my back. I think that's something the referees have to do, but if they don't protect us, we have to protect ourselves. It wasn't the best time in the game to get a technical, but ... you can't play dirty and expect someone not to do anything to you."

Odom Still out

Lamar Odom missed his second straight game as a result of a bone bruise on his right knee, an injury Jackson said could sideline him Sunday against Miami as well.

"What we have, we just have to go with right now," Jackson said. "That situation, you just can't start projecting time on it. You just hope he's back, he's healthy and he can play 100 percent when he does come back."

Reach Jeff Eisenberg at 951-368-9357 or jeisenberg@PE.com