"It's not quite Magic and Kareem, or even Kobe and Shaq, but the Lakers are rapidly finding a tough-to-top 1-2 combo.

Kobe Bryant shook off a two-game shooting slump with 37 points and Andrew Bynum shook up the Houston Rockets with his first 20-20 game.

Not surprisingly, the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets, 108-99, Tuesday at Staples Center.

Bynum started the season late because of his well-publicized four-game suspension, but he has arrived on time, putting up averages of 22.7 points and 17 rebounds in three games.

He had 21 points and 22 rebounds in 38 minutes against Houston, dominating down low yet again and evoking a cut-and-paste observation from Bryant."