Bynum provides offense, defense for Lakers

Andrew Bynum blocked Jermaine O'Neal's shot twice in succession in the fourth quarter, both times in the low post, both times with O'Neal trying hard to score, both times Andrew Bynum having none of it.

The Los Angeles Lakers bench rose up both times, applauding Andrew Bynum for his effort, for the third time he had blocked one of O'Neal's shots during the Los Angeles Lakers' beatdown of the Indiana Pacers, 134-114, Tuesday at Conseco Fieldhouse before 11,577 fans.

This was the same O'Neal the Los Angeles Lakers had inquired about acquiring over the summer but decided against when the Pacers asked for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

It was a chance for Andrew Bynum to show the Los Angeles Lakers they made the right decision.

His fifth double-double of the season played a big role in the Los Angeles Lakers winning their fourth straight game and in their scoring a season high and NBA high in points

Andrew Bynum had 17 points on 6-for-6 shooting, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.

"I wasn't really thinking about that trade talk," Andrew Bynum said. "I was just trying to think about getting a win here since we haven't won here in four years, or me three. But the team hasn't won here in four years, so it felt great to go out and get a 'W.' "

Eight Los Angeles Lakers scored in double figures, led by Kobe Bryant's 32 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Jordan Farmar had a career-high 18 points.

The previous time the Los Angeles Lakers had eight players score in double figures was Nov. 26, 2003, against the Washington Wizards.

Andrew Bynum started his first game of the season, playing in place of Kwame Brown (sprained left knee). He missed just one of his six free throws, but it was his defense on O'Neal that proved the difference. O'Neal had 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting.

Kobe Bryant pulled Andrew Bynum aside before the game and gave his young center a scouting report on how to defend O'Neal.

It paid off.

"When he has a big matchup against Jermaine, a person I've known since I was 16, I have to help him out as much as I can and try and pass on little nuances about defense and how he should view how to play players, so he's not just playing with his physical ability," Kobe Bryant said. "He's using his head as well."

The Los Angeles Lakers shot a season-high 58.3 percent from the field, 52 percent from three-point range (13 for 25).

They turned the game into a rout by opening a 104-90 lead by the end of the third quarter and led by as many as 26 points.

Then it became about Andrew Bynum and O'Neal in the fourth quarter, with Andrew Bynum getting the better of O'Neal.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was asked about Andrew Bynum's play.

Someone blurted out that Andrew Bynum played pretty well.

"You think so?" Jackson responded, smiling. "Yeah, he was pretty good. I think he stepped up and played the kind of defense we'd like to see him play. He was aggressive in there."

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