Lakers try to maintain reserve power on road

The Lakers' "Bench Mob," as they have dubbed themselves, might have their mettle tested this week.

No longer will they be at the friendly confines of Staples Center, where the Lakers have played 11 of their first 15 games. Even when the Clippers hosted them at Staples Center, it was more like a home game for the Lakers.

The Lakers on Tuesday begin a trip that takes them to Indianapolis, Philadelphia on Wednesday night and Washington on Friday night.

The challenge for the Lakers' deep and talented reserve unit is maintain a high level of success in hostile environments.

"I think we are mature enough to keep our composure, to keep our poise on the road," guard Sasha Vujacic said. "We did pretty good last year on the road, so coming into this season, I think we're more mature and we're playing together. We've just got to do what we're doing right now."

As of Monday, the Lakers' bench was the second-highest-scoring reserve group in the NBA, averaging 37.2 points per game. Minnesota (38.9 points) was first, Portland (36.9) third, San Antonio (36.8) fourth and Oklahoma City (36.8) fifth.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has talked about the difficulties his second-unit players face on the road: how they become more rattled, how they don't get many calls, how the game slows down.

"They have to be able to execute in the half-court game," Jackson said. "That's what we're really working with this young group at. Runs are good, transition defense, steals -- all those things. They are exploding the game a little bit with their higher-pace game. But then when that pace is over and they're into that half-court, we have to be able to execute."

Vujacic, Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar and Lamar Odom are the Lakers' second team.

Of that group, Jackson expects Odom to be the steely one.

Odom, after all, had been a starter until he became the team's sixth man this season.

"We have Lamar out there with that group to kind of provide that solidifying factor, hopefully," Jackson said.

Vujacic said the goal for the reserves is to not waver, to increase the score of the game, and to use their athleticism, youth and quickness to speed up the pace.

To Vujacic, a five-year veteran, there isn't much difference playing on the road.

"The only thing is at home you have your home crowd behind you at Staples Center. Sometimes they can help you," Vujacic said. "But on the road, we have to eliminate everything, our surroundings, and just keep our poise. I think we'll be OK. I think we are mature enough and we are playing good enough basketball to win on the road."

Three of the Lakers' reserves -- Ariza (9.9 points per game), Odom (9.5) and Farmar (8.9) -- are in the top seven in scoring on the team.

Two of the reserves -- Odom (6.3) and Ariza (5.5) -- are in the top four in rebounding on the team.

That's how good the Lakers' second unit is.

But to maintain that pace, the reserves must stay strong away from home.

"Everybody on our team wants to win. Everybody wants to get better and everybody wants to reach our goal at the end of the end of the season, which is to win the championship," Ariza said.

Turner is a Times staff writer.

broderick.turner@latimes.com