Bynum returns, leads Lakers over Nuggets

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Andrew Bynum provided the Los Angeles Lakers with a powerful performance in his season debut, following a four-game suspension that carried over from the playoffs.

It all would have been for nought, however, had it not been for some clutch shooting in the fourth quarter by Kobe Bryant and a couple of equally critical hustle plays by Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol in the final minutes.

Bynum scored 29 points on 13 for 18 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds, leading the Lakers to a 92-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The seven-foot centre played 31 1/2 gruelling minutes, helping the Lakers win their third straight following their first 0-2 start since 2002-03.

"They were looking for me a lot. I was a focal point early in the offence, so I knew the quicker I got down the court, the better it was," said Bynum, who made four of his first five shots and finished the first quarter with 10 points. "I was winded like crazy. I couldn't breathe in the first six minutes. Defensively, getting back and all those things require me to be in better condition. So it's going to take a little while."

Bynum was suspended without pay for the first four games because of a flagrant foul against Dallas' J.J. Barea in Game Four of the Western Conference semi-finals. The original ban was five games, but was reduced on December 23 as a result of a shortened schedule caused by the lockout.

"I really didn't have the highest expectations," said the seven-year veteran, who totalled 41 points and 23 rebounds in two pre-season games against the Clippers. "I just wanted to come out and be aggressive. I wanted to get it down low and when I got it, I made shots."

Bryant, bogged down by foul trouble, had 17 points along with nine assists and 10 rebounds. The Lakers overcame two-for-24 shooting from three-point range.

Reserve forward Al Harrington had 21 points for the Nuggets, who have lost 25 of their last 29 road games against the Lakers.

"The game of basketball treats you badly sometimes," Denver coach George Karl said. "No one feels very good right now. They hurt us rebounding the ball and they hurt us with Bynum's power underneath the basket. They've very good at playing an aggressive style of disrupting you, with guys coming at you on pick-and-rolls."

PISTONS 96, PACERS 88

Jonas Jerebko had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Detroit ended Lawrence Frank's 20-game losing streak by beating Indiana. Jerebko, who missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles' tendon in the pre-season, narrowly missed his career bests of 22 points and 13 boards. Frank hadn't won a game since April 13, 2009, when his Nets beat the Charlotte Bobcats.

Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill each had 16 points off the bench for the Pacers.

ROCKETS 95, HAWKS 84

Kevin Martin scored 27 points, Kyle Lowry matched a career high with 18 assists and Houston led from start to finish in a victory over Atlanta. Luis Scola added 21 points, Jordan Hill grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and Chase Budinger scored 17 points for the Rockets, who looked fresh despite playing their third game in three nights.

THUNDER 107, SUNS 97

Russell Westbrook scored 18 points, Daequan Cook hit four three-pointers in quick succession to help Oklahoma City pull away in the first half and the Thunder led wire to wire in a victory over Phoenix. The Thunder improved to 5-0 and remained perfect in four New Year's Eve home games that have become a tradition since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

KNICKS 114, KINGS 92

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, Tyson Chandler had 18 of his 22 in the second half and New York assumed control early in beating Sacramento. The Knicks didn't miss starting forward Amare Stoudemire, their leading rebounder and second-leading scorer who sat out with a sprained left ankle. They got an unexpected lift from replacement Josh Harrellson, a rookie from Kentucky who made his first NBA start and had career highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and hit four three-pointers.