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Andrew Bynum Ejected As The Lakers Lose To The Houston Rockets

Steven Covelman |
March 21, 2012 | 3:43 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Bynum provides L.A. with plenty of offense -- but not when he's off the court. (Keith Allison/Creative Commons)
Bynum provides L.A. with plenty of offense -- but not when he's off the court. (Keith Allison/Creative Commons)
It seemed like déjà vu last night when Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum lost his composure and was ejected in the third-quarter of Tuesday's 107-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. With 1:10 remaining and the Lakers clutching to a six-point lead in the third quarter, Bynum was called for his second technical foul following an assortment of verbal jabs with referee Monty McCutchen.

The seven-footer received his first technical in the first quarter for arguing that he should have received a foul call after being hit in the arm on a missed shot, while Rockets center Samuel Dalembert was credited with a block.  

While Bynum admits that he made some irrational decisions, he does not believe that his ejection was justified. 

"It was unwarranted, but I lost my head a touch earlier in the game and got to move on," said Bynum.

According to league sources, Bynum is not expected to receive any further punishment for his actions on the court, but his decision to high-five fans as he left the game could be perceived by some as showing up the official. 

"The league can take care of that," said Lakers head coach Mike Brown.  "If he wants to do that, that's on him. I have no problem with it."

However, while Brown is okay with his center's actions heading to the locker room he is upset with the 24-year-old's ejection in such a tight playoff race. Bynum is averaging career highs in points (18.0) and rebounds (12.7) per game.

"We need him on the floor.  He, nor anybody else right now, can put themselves in jeopardy, even if it was unjustified or not," said Brown. "Nobody can put themselves in jeopardy to get themselves removed from the ballgame.  

Following Bynum's exit, the Lakers were outscored 34-25 and out-rebounded 15-7 in the fourth-quarter. During his 23 minutes on the floor, the Lakers center scored 16 points, collected seven rebounds, and was responsible for two blocks.  

Despite his clear impact on the game, Bynum does not believe that he was responsible for his team's loss.

"We got guys that come in and play and do good things and they had a 12-point lead, we built a 12-point lead, with the bench I believe," said Bynum. "So, they're capable of winning games.  It was just coming down to the end of the stretch and making bad decisions."

Bynum's teammates do not appear to be upset with the big man's actions and have not actively sought an apology from their starting center.

"It's a part of the game," said Kobe Bryant. "One of his big strengths is the chip on his shoulder that he plays with, so you can't expect him to have that one night and then knock him for it the next."  

The Lakers will take on the Dallas Mavericks tonight in a Western Conference showdown. In the Lakers' final playoff game against the Mavericks last season, Bynum was ejected and infamously took his shirt off as he left the court. Los Angeles has already beaten Dallas four times this season, but Dirk Nowitzki and company are currently riding a four game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Lakers have dropped their last two contests. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center.

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Reach Steven by email.



 

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