| |
|
NBA PLAYOFFS -- Bynum plays big in Lakers opener
By Jose Roberto Meza PhilBoxing.com Mon, 30 Apr 2012

LOS ANGELES -- As usual, Kobe Bryant came up big when the LA Lakers opened their 2012 NBA playoffs run Sunday afteroon before a fullhouse crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center here in dowtown Los Angeles.
Bryant sizzled for 31 points as Los Angeles easily dispatched the Denver Nuggets, 103-88, to win Game 1 of their best-of-7 series.
As spectacular as Kobe was, he had to share the spotlight with big man Andrew Bynum, who tore through the history pages with a playoffs performance of a lifetime.
The 7-foot, 285-pound Bynum finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Those ten blocks tied an NBA record shared by Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz and all-time great Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets. Those ten blocks also broke a 35-year old franchise record of nine blocks held by Hall-of-Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The last Laker to register a triple-double in a playoffs game was Lakers megastar Magic Johnson, who pulled the trick in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals --- 16 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists.
"Monstrous. He was an absolute beast down there," Lakers head coach said of his center's historic effort.
At least one Nugget was very pleased with Bynum's effort. "We've got to find a way to score before he gets in the paint, because he's impressive, "said Denver forward Danilo Gallinari.
Bynum's previous playoff game was an ugly memory. He was ejected in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last May when he threw a viciously malicious elbow that sent then Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea crashing hard on the floor.
This time, though, all is good. And Bynum is slowly making a case as the NBA's best big man. With his triple-double treat against the Nuggets, who's to argue. (Jose Roberto Meza)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jose Roberto Meza.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Paras ready to face Yokoyama on June 6 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 14 May 2026Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Thu, 14 May 2026Champion Outside the Ring: Gustavo Trujillo and Bio Cell Wellness Group Support Children with Autism Through Life-Changing Therapies , Thu, 14 May 2026IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges , Wed, 13 May 2026GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE , Wed, 13 May 2026Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina , Wed, 13 May 2026Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA) , Wed, 13 May 2026Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 May 2026WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6 , Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan , Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results) By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|