LEAD: Bynum returns, leads Lakers to win over Nuggets

By Chris Bernucca Jan 1, 2012, 4:42 GMT

Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Lakers got back big man Andrew Bynum, then got a couple of big breaks to defeat the Denver Nuggets.

Bynum had 29 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut Saturday and the Lakers did not allow a point over the final 3 1/2 minutes as they rallied for a 92-89 home victory over the Nuggets.

Kobe Bryant had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists and Spanish star Pau Gasol scored 17 points for the Lakers, who have won three in a row since dropping their first two games. Los Angeles capitalized on a number of missed shots by Denver down the stretch.

'The game of basketball treats you badly sometimes,' said Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team hosts the Lakers on Sunday.

The 7-foot Bynum missed the first four games of the season due to a suspension from last season's playoffs for a flagrant foul on Dallas guard J.J. Barea. He gave the Lakers a tremendous lift with his inside play, making 13-of-18 shots and collecting two blocks in 32 minutes.

'I just wanted to come out and be aggressive,' Bynum said. 'I really didn't have the highest expectations. I thought I would be tired, which I was, and the ball just fell for me today.'

'He's a big fella that's extremely skilled and he's got some athleticism,' Lakers coach Mike Brown said. 'He just knows how to play the game.'

Despite Bynum's presence in the paint, the Nuggets held an 89-84 lead after a dunk by Brazil's Nene with 3:40 to play. However, Denver did not score again as it missed seven shots and three free throws.

After a three-point play by Bynum, Nene missed a dunk and Bryant sank two free throws to tie it at 89 with 2:18 left. Bynum blocked a shot by Nene and scored inside at the other end to give Los Angeles a 91-89 edge with 1:52 remaining.

'His performance tonight was spectacular - it was outstanding,' Gasol said.

'They hurt us with Bynum's power underneath the basket,' Karl said.

The Nuggets still had plenty of chances, but Ty Lawson missed two free throws with 1:13 to go. In the waning seconds, Bryant missed a jumper that was rebounded by Andre Miller, who passed ahead to a wide-open Danilo Gallinari. But the Italian missed a left-handed layup.

Bryant was fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws before Al Harrington missed a long three-pointer at the horn.

'It's on us,' Lawson said. 'I missed two free throws and there's a lot of things down the stretch we could have done better.'

The Lakers won despite committing 20 turnovers and making just 2-of-24 3-pointers. They held a 50-36 advantage in rebounds, with Bynum leading the way.

'We play hard-nosed basketball around here,' said Bryant, who made just 6-of-18 shots. 'It's going to get ugly sometimes.'

Harrington scored 21 points and Nene, Miller and Arron Afflalo added 13 each for the Nuggets (2-2), who have lost two in a row.

In other news, the defending champion Dallas Mavericks signed Chinese forward Yi Jianlian to a one-year contract, the Dallas Morning News reported. Yi had been playing in China and has averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in four seasons with Milwaukee, New Jersey and Washington.

Oklahoma City 107, Phoenix 97 =

Russell Westbrook led six players in double figures with 18 points as the host Thunder improved to an NBA-best 5-0.

Detroit 96, Indiana 88 =

Sweden's Jonas Jerebko had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Greg Monroe added 19 and 11 as the host Pistons (1-3) got their first win and handed the Pacers (3-1) their first loss.

Houston 95, Atlanta 84 =

Kevin Martin scored 27 points and Argentina's Luis Scola added 21 for the Rockets, who dealt the visiting Hawks (3-1) their first loss.

San Antonio 104, Utah 89 =

Argentina's Manu Ginobili made five three-pointers and scored 23 points as the host Spurs cruised past the Jazz.

New York 114, Sacramento 92 =

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points and Tyson Chandler collected 22 to lead the visiting Knicks, who played without injured All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire.

Philadelphia 107, Golden State 79 =

Lou Williams led a strong bench effort with 23 points as the visiting 76ers trounced the Warriors, who were without leading scorer Monta Ellis.