Bynum likely to return tonight against Denver

There was a video montage filled with his highlights, followed by a black-and-white screen that said with strong simplicity: “Bynum’s Baaaack.”

Indeed, Andrew Bynum returned after missing 32 games, and the Lakers continued along the same successful path they had experienced without their 21-year-old center, defeating the Denver Nuggets, 116-102, Thursday at Staples Center.

Bynum had 16 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes as the Lakers (63-16) moved to within half a game of Cleveland in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Lakers also managed to clinch home court against Boston (59-19) should they happen to meet again in the Finals.

Kobe Bryant had 33 points and Pau Gasol had 27 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, but the night was all about Bynum.

The Lakers went a respectable 25-7 while he recovered from a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, but they were eager for his return as fatigue started to seep into the roster.

Predictably, he received a huge ovation from Lakers fans when he was introduced as a starter.

Then the game began, which initially went as expected for a player who missed almost 10 weeks. His offense was inconsistent and he was a step slow defensively.

On one play, he turned around and airballed a nine-footer with 6-foot-6 guard Dahntay Jones on him. On another play, he was too late to stop center Nene from a shot down low that became a three-point play after Bynum fouled him.

Bynum had only three points in the first half.

In the second half, however, he pinned Nene down low on a couple of occasions and scored on short hook shots. He also followed a missed shot with a dunk, turning it into a three-point play after being fouled.

In other words, the post-injury Bynum began to look a little more like the pre-injury Bynum.

“I started getting out on the floor and getting deep position, and I just turned around and shot,” said Bynum, who wore a brace on the knee. “It feels great to be back and playing, seriously. I was a little sluggish. My lateral movement’s a little bit slow, but I’m going to feel it out the more time I get out there on the floor.”

Bynum made seven of 11 shots. He was averaging 14 points and 8.2 rebounds before getting injured.

“There’s still some things that he’s going to adjust to that will come along as we play,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “Hopefully these next three games, he can get it to a point where he was somewhat close to where he was.”

Jackson was pleased that Bynum would be able to squeeze in four regular-season games before the playoffs began, particularly because the Lakers might see the Nuggets (53-27) down the road.

The Lakers had won nine consecutive games against the Nuggets, including an easy first-round sweep in last season’s playoffs, until experiencing one of the worst shooting nights in team history (29.8%) in a 90-79 loss Feb. 27 at Denver.

The Nuggets, who played Thursday without power forward Kenyon Martin because of a rib injury, looked plenty robust in the first half, J.R. Smith tying the score at 56-56 with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the second quarter.

But the Lakers extended out to a seven-point lead going into the fourth quarter and never fretted from there.

Next up is another possible playoff opponent, though Jackson won’t go to Portland tonight because of painful swelling in his lower right leg. Assistant Kurt Rambis will coach the team tonight and Jackson will return for Sunday’s game against Memphis.

Jackson, Rambis, or John Wooden -- it might not matter against the Trail Blazers. The Lakers just can’t seem to win at Portland, losing seven consecutive games up there.

“I have no idea why, to be honest with you,” Luke Walton said. “They’re one of the tougher places to play as far as fans, but Utah’s just as tough and we went into Cleveland and Boston this year and got wins there.”

Then Walton smiled as he thought of a possible reason.

“If we win [tonight] when Phil’s not there, maybe it’s Phil.”

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