NBA Playoffs 2012: Will Andrew Bynum Step Up If Kobe Bryant Is Absent in Game 6?

Andrew Bynum can quiet his naysayers in a big way by pulling out a Game 6 road victory against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night if star guard Kobe Bryant is unable to play.

Los Angeles may have to prepare for life without Bryant tonight after he missed the late-morning shootaround, which could place Bynum in the spotlight offensively for the first time in his career during the playoffs.

Bovada sports book released a proposition wager of over/under 18.5 points for the All-Star center, but that number was created solely on his 18.0-point average in this best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series through five games.

The 24-year-old averaged 24.8 points per game in four regular-season contests against the Nuggets, hitting 66.1 percent of his shots from the field.

During a seven-game stretch without Bryant in the starting lineup from April 7-18, he scored 23.1 points per night, which was nearly five points higher than his season average (18.7) in playing 60 games.

I'm not exactly sold on Bynum's effort in this series, especially after his comments before Tuesday night's 102-99 loss as six-point home favorites, but I'm a buyer in this offering.

If Bryant is unable to go, definitely pull the trigger on the 7-footer having a big night.

Recommendation: Andrew Bynum over 18.5 points  

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