Lakers 104, Warriors 101: In Case You Thought Andrew Bynum Had Grown Up...

The guy I feel bad for tonight is Matt Barnes. Playing in the East Bay not so far from where he grew up, Barnes logged the best game of his season against the team he once played for. Without his 18 points (on 7-for-10 shooting), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and generally being the only Laker to work hard buzzer to buzzer, the Lake Show would've found itself on the wrong end of a hugely embarrassing defeat. As it happened, they had just enough to get by a hollowed-out Golden State team, 104 to 101. The victory, such as it was, gives them 31 wins in their first 50 games and keeps them solidly in the West's three position, a couple games ahead of the Clippers and Mavericks.

So why do I feel bad for Matt? Because no one will be talking about his splendid night thanks to the latest round of jackassery from Andrew Bynum. Drew looked out of it from the beginning tonight, and despite facing a Warriors front line that started David Lee and Jeremy Tyler at the power positions he entered halftime having made only 4 of 9 shots and collecting just three boards. With about 10 minutes left in the third, to the astonishment of everyone breathing oxygen, Drew chucked up a three-point attempt early in the shot clock. Mike Brown responded by benching him for the rest of the period. When he returned in the fourth, Bynum missed two shots and a free throw, and with 9:10 to play, Brown parked his ass on the bench for good.

And I mean for good. As the game played out down the stretch, Bynum refused to leave his seat to join team huddles and was seen laughing at the turn of events. In his postgame interviews he explained this, kind of, by noting petulantly, "I just sat where he [Brown] put me." He said the message he took from his benching was not to take threes, but that "he's going to take some more." All right, Drew, that's quite enough.

But to end this on a positive note, let's give quick daps to Pau Gasol (19 points, 17 boards), Metta World Peace (lotsa muscle and energy), Kobe Bryant (not a great night but hit important buckets late) and Josh McRoberts (playing like he wants some more minutes).

The Thunder arrive on Thursday night, but Bynum has ensured that tomorrow will be plenty stormy as well.

Follow Dex on Twitter @dexterfishmore.