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Bynum back in Lakers' big win
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2010, Thursday
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THE surging Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the return of seven-foot center Andrew Bynum by routing the injury-riddled Washington Wizards 103-89 on Tuesday.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points to lead the Lakers, who outscored Washington 35-22 in the second quarter to take a 57-46 lead at halftime and never looked back.
Bryant exploded for 16 points in the third quarter as the Lakers stretched their lead to 92-70 with a period to play, sending the crowd heading for the exits.
Bynum saw his first action of the year following right knee surgery in July, coming off the bench to score seven points with four rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes.
"Everything was cool for the first game of the season," said Bynum, who averaged 15 points and 8.3 rebounds a year ago. "It was a good test but I need more. I've only had about five practices so I'm a little bit rusty. It will take me a while to get back to my normal self. But I'm really, really happy to be back out there."
Los Angeles has struggled for much of the year under the basket with the absence of Bynum, a key component in the Lakers' championship runs the last two years.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson was delighted to have the 23-year-old, six-year NBA veteran come off the bench and fill in for center Pau Gasol and power forward Lamar Odom.
"He gave us something we needed at the time," said Jackson. "We had both Lamar and Pau with two fouls. I thought Andrew's offense was pretty good.
"Defensively, he got a block or two but his presence was felt. There are still some things he needs to work on. He needs to get in basketball-game shape."
The Lakers (18-7) have won five of their last six and are within striking distance of the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs (20-3) and Dallas Mavericks (19-5).
Bryant hit seven of 13 shots in only 24 minutes for the Lakers, who visit the Indiana Pacers next. Odom scored 18 points while Spaniard Gasol and reserve Shannon Brown each added 16.
Jackson expected Bynum to play about the same amount of time against the Pacers.
"I'll try to work him out similar to what we did tonight," he said. "Short minutes. Relief minutes. See how he goes in the game. I was ready to put him back in if we needed to tonight.
"But that was a game where we didn't have to push it down at the end."
Reserve swingman Nick Young, who scored 30 points in a 115-108 loss to the Lakers last week at the Staples Center, contributed 21 to pace Washington (6-17) but he had little help.
Two of the Wizards' top scorers, rookie point guard John Wall and veteran power forward Andray Blatche, did not play due to nagging injuries.
In Denver, the Nuggets pulled away in the final five minutes to beat the Orlando Magic 111-94 with Carmelo Anthony scoring 35 points.
Elsewhere, it was: Pistons 103, Hawks 80; Bobcats 97, Raptors 91; 76ers 82, Nets 77; Rockets 118, Kings 105; and Warriors 108, Timberwolves 99.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 points to lead the Lakers, who outscored Washington 35-22 in the second quarter to take a 57-46 lead at halftime and never looked back.
Bryant exploded for 16 points in the third quarter as the Lakers stretched their lead to 92-70 with a period to play, sending the crowd heading for the exits.
Bynum saw his first action of the year following right knee surgery in July, coming off the bench to score seven points with four rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes.
"Everything was cool for the first game of the season," said Bynum, who averaged 15 points and 8.3 rebounds a year ago. "It was a good test but I need more. I've only had about five practices so I'm a little bit rusty. It will take me a while to get back to my normal self. But I'm really, really happy to be back out there."
Los Angeles has struggled for much of the year under the basket with the absence of Bynum, a key component in the Lakers' championship runs the last two years.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson was delighted to have the 23-year-old, six-year NBA veteran come off the bench and fill in for center Pau Gasol and power forward Lamar Odom.
"He gave us something we needed at the time," said Jackson. "We had both Lamar and Pau with two fouls. I thought Andrew's offense was pretty good.
"Defensively, he got a block or two but his presence was felt. There are still some things he needs to work on. He needs to get in basketball-game shape."
The Lakers (18-7) have won five of their last six and are within striking distance of the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs (20-3) and Dallas Mavericks (19-5).
Bryant hit seven of 13 shots in only 24 minutes for the Lakers, who visit the Indiana Pacers next. Odom scored 18 points while Spaniard Gasol and reserve Shannon Brown each added 16.
Jackson expected Bynum to play about the same amount of time against the Pacers.
"I'll try to work him out similar to what we did tonight," he said. "Short minutes. Relief minutes. See how he goes in the game. I was ready to put him back in if we needed to tonight.
"But that was a game where we didn't have to push it down at the end."
Reserve swingman Nick Young, who scored 30 points in a 115-108 loss to the Lakers last week at the Staples Center, contributed 21 to pace Washington (6-17) but he had little help.
Two of the Wizards' top scorers, rookie point guard John Wall and veteran power forward Andray Blatche, did not play due to nagging injuries.
In Denver, the Nuggets pulled away in the final five minutes to beat the Orlando Magic 111-94 with Carmelo Anthony scoring 35 points.
Elsewhere, it was: Pistons 103, Hawks 80; Bobcats 97, Raptors 91; 76ers 82, Nets 77; Rockets 118, Kings 105; and Warriors 108, Timberwolves 99.
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