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Bynum returns to fire Lakers past Nuggets
Source: Agencies |
January 2, 2012, Monday
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CENTER Andrew Bynum scored 29 points in his first game of the season after serving a suspension as the Los Angeles Lakers came from behind to beat the Denver Nuggets 92-89 on Saturday.
Bynum's layup sent the Lakers ahead 91-89 with 1:52 to play as they powered past Denver's five-point fourth-quarter lead.
He had been suspended for the first four games of the shortened NBA season because of a flagrant foul against Dallas in the Western Conference playoffs last season.
The big man also had 13 rebounds and two blocked shots as new coach Mike Brown's coaching style suited his play.
"They're looking for me a lot and I'm a focal point early in the offense," Bynum told reporters. But he paid a price in the early going, he said. "I was winded like crazy today," the out-of-shape Bynum said. "First game ... I couldn't breathe in the first six minutes."
But even if he was winded, his domination inside was too much for the Nuggets to handle.
"His power around the basket, we haven't seen it yet," Denver coach George Karl told reporters. "We'll have to make some adjustments on him, there's no question."
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol each added 17 points for the Lakers, who had started the season 0-2 but have now won three successive games.
Al Harrington led the Nuggets with 21 points.
The Nuggets had an 85-80 lead after Harrington's three-pointer with five minutes to play.
But the Lakers pulled even at 89-89 on Bryant's two free throws after Derek Fisher's hustle to save the ball after missing a three-pointer.
Then Bynum blocked Nene Hilario's layup attempt and got the go-ahead basket.
Meanwhile, Denver was drawing blanks.
"We get three layups and a couple free throws in the last three minutes of the game and we miss all of them," Karl said.
"We gave them too much hope, from Bynum and that loose ball from Fisher, and we never got that defensive confidence because we didn't rebound the ball."
Elsewhere, it was: Pistons 96, Pacers 88; and Rockets 95, Hawks 84.
Bynum's layup sent the Lakers ahead 91-89 with 1:52 to play as they powered past Denver's five-point fourth-quarter lead.
He had been suspended for the first four games of the shortened NBA season because of a flagrant foul against Dallas in the Western Conference playoffs last season.
The big man also had 13 rebounds and two blocked shots as new coach Mike Brown's coaching style suited his play.
"They're looking for me a lot and I'm a focal point early in the offense," Bynum told reporters. But he paid a price in the early going, he said. "I was winded like crazy today," the out-of-shape Bynum said. "First game ... I couldn't breathe in the first six minutes."
But even if he was winded, his domination inside was too much for the Nuggets to handle.
"His power around the basket, we haven't seen it yet," Denver coach George Karl told reporters. "We'll have to make some adjustments on him, there's no question."
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol each added 17 points for the Lakers, who had started the season 0-2 but have now won three successive games.
Al Harrington led the Nuggets with 21 points.
The Nuggets had an 85-80 lead after Harrington's three-pointer with five minutes to play.
But the Lakers pulled even at 89-89 on Bryant's two free throws after Derek Fisher's hustle to save the ball after missing a three-pointer.
Then Bynum blocked Nene Hilario's layup attempt and got the go-ahead basket.
Meanwhile, Denver was drawing blanks.
"We get three layups and a couple free throws in the last three minutes of the game and we miss all of them," Karl said.
"We gave them too much hope, from Bynum and that loose ball from Fisher, and we never got that defensive confidence because we didn't rebound the ball."
Elsewhere, it was: Pistons 96, Pacers 88; and Rockets 95, Hawks 84.
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