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Bynum, Lakers top Bucks

LOS ANGELES — Andrew Bynum had 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers led all the way in beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 95-77, Sunday night to avoid their first three-game losing streak in nearly two years.

Shannon Brown added 19 points, Jordan Farmar scored of his 15 of his 17 in the second half, and Kobe Bryant had 12 points on 4 of 21 shooting, and Derek Fisher 11 for the defending NBA champions.

Milwaukee’s 77 points were the fewest the team has ever scored against the Lakers, breaking the old mark of 82 on Feb. 25, 1973.

After losing to the Clippers and Portland, the Lakers were facing the prospect of their first three-game skid since acquiring Pau Gasol on Feb. 1, 2008. Of course, he didn’t play Sunday, sitting out his fourth straight game with a strained left hamstring.

But they didn’t need him, despite Bryant’s shooting woes. He was 1 of 14 with four points in the first half.

Bynum continued dominating the post in Gasol’s absence, notching his third double-double in as many games. Lamar Odom had 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Milwaukee’s reserves did the bulk of its scoring. Hakim Warrick had 14 points, Jodie Meeks 12, and Brandon Jennings, Luke Ridnour and Charlie Bell 10 each for the Bucks, who had won three straight but dropped to 5-11 on the road.

Milwaukee starting guard Michael Redd left the game because of a sore left knee and didn’t return. He was scoreless in nearly 12 minutes.

The Lakers jumped out to a 24-8 lead in the opening quarter, when the Bucks were 4 of 21 from the field. They outscored Los Angeles 20-15 in the second, but the Lakers maintained a 39-28 halftime lead.

Helped by four 3-pointers, the Lakers extended their lead to 65-46 in the third. Brown hit a 3 at the buzzer that ignited his teammates and the fans heading into the fourth.

Brown and Farmar dominated the final 12 minutes as the Lakers improved their NBA-best record to 29-8.