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Jazz top Lakers as Bynum returns

Oct 8, 2008 - 4:43 AM By Jonathan Raber PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz held off the Los Angeles Lakers, 99-90, in Tuesday's preseason opener for both teams at the Honda Center.

Andrew Bynum had 15 points and eight rebounds in his first game action in nearly nine months for the Lakers, who were coached by Kurt Rambis as Phil Jackson took the night off due to swelling and soreness in his legs.

Bynum returned to the court for the first time since injuring his left knee on January 13 in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury forced the up-and-coming center to miss the remainder of the regular season and the team's trip to the NBA Finals.

Wearing a light brace on the knee, Bynum played 24 minutes off the bench. He replaced Pau Gasol midway through the opening quarter and showed no signs of discomfort.

The Jazz took a 76-69 lead into the fourth and held off the Lakers' attempts at a comeback. Bynum got Los Angeles within 89-84 with 5:34 remaining, but the Jazz responded with six straight points.

Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer each scored 13 points and Deron Williams added 11 and eight assists for the Jazz, who were defeated by the Lakers, 4-2, in last season's Western Conference semifinals.

The league's reigning Most Valuable Player, Kobe Bryant had eight points and five rebounds in 24 minutes.

All-Star forward Carlos Boozer was held out of the Jazz's lineup as a precautionary measure after experiencing soreness in his left hamstring.