By CURTIS ZUPKE
The Orange County Register
EL SEGUNDO - Andrew Bynum will get his biggest test of the season to date when he faces Orlando’s Dwight Howard on Sunday at Staples Center.
The 6-foot-11 Howard leads the NBA in rebounds with 15 per game and comes off a 30-point, 23-rebound game against Phoenix in which he had eight dunks and eight turnovers.
More impressive is that Howard has a league-leading 81 dunks, which is more than 25 teams, according to Associated Press. Bynum entered Friday second with 33 dunks.
“It’s going to be a tough one,” Bynum said. “Our defense is pretty bad. I’m definitely going to need help down there, because he’s turned into a beast.”
Bynum has averaged 11.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game since he became the starting center on Nov.20.
He has a history of early foul trouble, though, and the Lakers will need him available for as many minutes as possible.
“It’s going to be tough for ‘Drew,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “We’ll see how it works out.’
Bynum is no way in the league with Dwight. The Orlando center is a monster in the middle. Bynum is just an above average ballplayer while Dwight is a gifted one.