Andrew Bynum returns, sparks Lakers past Nuggets

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, dunks the ball as Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov (25), of Russia, defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Los Angeles. Bynum contributed 29 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut following a four-game suspension that carried over from the playoffs, and the Lakers won 92-89. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES—Andrew Bynum had 29 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut following a four-game suspension that carried over from the playoffs as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets, 92-89, Saturday.

Bynum shot 13 for 18, helping the Lakers win their third straight following the team’s first 0-2 start since 2002-03.

The center was suspended without pay for the first four games of the season because of a flagrant foul against Dallas’ JJ Barea in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The original ban was five games, but was reduced on Dec. 23 as a result of a shortened schedule caused by the NBA lockout.

Kobe Bryant, bogged down by foul trouble, had 17 points along with nine assists and 10 rebounds. The Lakers overcame 2-for-24 shooting from 3-point range.

At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Jonas Jerebko had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Detroit ended Lawrence Frank’s 20-game losing streak by beating Indiana, 96-88.
Jerebko, who missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in the preseason, 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. The Nets lost their final game that season, and Frank was fired after New Jersey got off to a 0-16 start the next fall. He also lost his first three games with the Pistons since replacing John Kuester.
At Houston, Kevin Martin scored 27 points, and Kyle Lowry matched a career high with 18 assists as Houston led from start to finish in a 95-84 win 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.

Haddadi gets new deal
Meanwhile, reserve center Hamed Haddadi, the first Iranian to play in the NBA, has signed a new contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team said on Saturday.
Terms and financial details were not announced, but Memphis media reported the deal was for one year for the 26-year-old Olympian.
Haddadi, a longtime member of the Iranian national team, has career averages of 2.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.45 blocks in three seasons with Memphis.

OTHER RESULTS: San Antonio 104, Utah 89; Philadelphia 107, Golden State 79; NY Knicks 114, Sacramento 92