Bynum suspended two games

Lakers center Andrew Bynum will not play Sunday against Portland or Tuesday against Phoenix because of an NBA-imposed two-game suspension for a flagrant foul.

Bynum was ejected midway through the fourth quarter Friday against Minnesota after knocking down Michael Beasley as the Timberwolves' forward drove to the basket.

The Lakers, predictably, weren't thrilled.

"I thought two games was excessive, but who knows?" Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. "Like I said [Saturday], you never know. There's no standard. There's nothing to go by. It's all subjective."

Bynum will forfeit almost $250,000 for missing two games.

The Lakers will go with their relatively familiar frontcourt of Pau Gasol at center, Lamar Odom at power forward and Ron Artest at small forward.

The Lakers have been on a roll, in large part because of Bynum, winning 11 of 12 games since the All-Star break.

The Lakers will, however, have Kobe Bryant against Portland.

"He's all right," Jackson said of the perennial All-Star guard. "I think his ankle's better but I don't know about his neck and shoulder."

Bryant has a sore neck and shoulder after being accidentally hit in the face Friday by Martell Webster of the Timberwolves. Bryant sprained his left ankle a little more than a week ago.

Bynum, for his part, will get some extra rest after experiencing recent swelling in his right knee.

"We'll put a spin on it that it's a positive thing for us," Jackson said, though he was being sarcastic.

Translation: Bynum will be missed.

-- Mike Bresnahan