Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Kobe Bryant shrugged off the most perplexing game of his career with an effort more consistent with what we’ve seen throughout the years. Since missing his first 15 shots against New Orleans Bryant has rediscovered his inner Mamba. 40 points on 28 shots was classic Kobe in a vintage high-scoring affair with the Golden State Warriors tonight. Bryant built on his clutch close on Saturday with a dominant performance on Sunday.

The good news is that the Lakers have returned to their winning ways at home. The bad news is they blew another big lead, didn’t play much defense yet again but still held on for a 120-112 win.

Now for the even worse news: Andrew Bynum missed most of this game after rolling his ankle in the second quarter.

Drew immediately went to the locker room never to return again. X-Rays revealed no damage but nothing else will be known until an MRI can be performed. Talk about bad timing. If this ends up being another injury setback for Bynum it couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment.

In only 10 minutes Bynum was scoreless with the 3 boards. Normally you’d think that would mean L.A. would have no chance. Not so much the case now that Ramon Sessions is holding court.

In addition to Mamba’s 40-ounce of points, Sessions went for 23 on an amazingly efficient 10 shots. His 9 dimes also helped set the table for plenty of Kobe’s buckets and many of Pau Gasol’s 26.

The Spaniard stepped up in Bynum’s absence with an All-Star effort. Gasol is finally getting more touches closer to the hoop thanks Ramon’s ability to get into the paint more often than Jackson Pollock’s brush.

When Sessions isn’t drawing defenders to create open looks he’s getting to the rim making for cheap buckets for his teammates even when he misses. Josh McRoberts had a sick follow dunk on a Sessions miss and Pau got a put back thanks to all the attention going Ramon’s way. For whatever its worth McLoberts is playing is best ball of the season lately. His only two points came on that nice put back but 8 boards mixed with Troy Murphy’s 11 rebounds makes for a solid showing by the bench.

Aside from the natural concerns surrounding Bynum’s bum ankle, the troubling trend of terrible D continued.

L.A. had a 15-point lead in the second half yet allowed GSW get as close as two in the 4^th. A lot of the 36 points the Warriors hung in the final frame came on open looks from distance. Nate Robinson had one of his nights scoring 17 off the bench including a fantastic 5 of 6 from deep. Klay Thompson keeps making pops proud as he went for 18 most of which was scored on jump shots.

The Lakers played with plenty of energy tonight. Metta World Peace even had a pulse. His defense wasn’t the best but his activity level kept him in the game. For good measure MWP hit a big three late that helped seal the deal.

Kobe’s bounce back game was badly needed. He didn’t settle even though his jumper was on, instead getting into the lane and getting to the line. Of course the real story is the developing one regarding Bynum’s ankle.

At a hectic point in the season there isn’t much time to rest. It would have been nice to get Kobe a little more R&R but as usual the Lakers couldn’t extend a big lead. It would have also been ideal for Bynum not to get hurt in the middle of three games in four days. But the schedule is what it is and at this point the Lakers are what they are. With all the drama going around these days the last thing you wanted was to have a Bynum injury watch splashed across the headlines. But it is what it is. All the Lakers can do is play the hand that is dealt.

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

More of the usual tonight for the Lake Show. A big lead was lost. Andrew Bynum busted out the Baby Bynum act. A short handed team was made to look better than what they were. Yet and still Kobe Bryant hits a clutch shot. Metta World Peace makes a big defensive play. The Lakers held on to beat the wounded Warriors 104-101.

Nothing seems to change for the Lakers these days. They’re good enough to beat anybody on any given night. They’re disinterested enough to make any game a close contest no matter the opponent.

All of that and then some was on display in the Bay.

The Lakers led by as many as 16 over the hapless Golden State Warriors. They also lost that lead late with GSW taking over for the first time in the fourth quarter.

Baby Bynum is making more guest appearances than usual lately. As if he couldn’t top his terrible ejection in Houston the immature big man outdid himself tonight. After making a meaningless three in the Lakers last game, Drew must have thought he was onto something.

For whatever reason Bynum thought he was well within his range on a three point attempt in the third. The shot missed badly and Mike Brown was none-too-impressed. Bynum got a seat from the bench for his troubles where he proceeded to clown for the cameras after his inexplicable attempt.

There was nothing funny about another uninspired performance by the All-Star center. 11 points and 5 boards against an undersized Golden State squad is hardly reason to joke. Taking an unwarranted three with 20 seconds on the shot clock is even more troubling.

If Brown saw fit to bench Bryant for no reason then suspending Bynum is in order as far as I’m concerned.

Luckily for Drew his co-workers aren’t as foolish. Guys like Pau Gasol and KB24 are true professionals.

Pau took full advantage of the outmatched Warriors going for 19 and 17. Bryant bounced back nicely from his benching with a game best 30 points. His shooting woes are still troublesome though. Kobe was 9 of 24 on the evening but he hit a big shot late to get this one back in control.

Matt Barnes is rediscovering his game, that’s good news. Since Ramon Sessions put on a purple and gold jersey something has sparked in Barnes. He went for 18 and 10 off the bench against his former squad. Barnes’ activity level is back to the vintage days of when he was a Warrior.

What is troubling is L.A.’s sudden disinterest in defense. Golden State had no business being in this contest but the Lakers lack luster defense kept this one way too close for comfort.

Klay Thompson did right by his dad going for 20 while pops called the action for the Lake Show on radio. David Lee did work with 23 and 9 including a big bucket late.

As for the Sessions effect…well this was the worst we’ve seen of Ramon since he became a Laker. Fitting right into what you’d expect from a Laker point guard this season, his game vanished on the road. Sessions scored just 7 on 1 of 4 shooting. He did dish 5 dimes but also missed some key free throws late.

This win was nothing to brag about. Any team with title contentions should – with all due respect – beat this Golden State team in their current condition. L.A. has forgotten all that stellar defense that dotted the early season. Bynum’s immaturity is becoming a real problem at the wrong time and Mike Brown just seems to have no answers every night.

Still the Lakers have greatly improved their rod woes, winning five of their last six away from Staples and they are in a good spot with the playoff push underway. All that said we’ll get a better feel for where they are come Thursday when the Oklahoma City Thunder roll into town. If ever there was a measuring stick it’s the top team in the West that just so happens to have Derek Fisher on the roster.

Get your popcorn ready. The drama is just getting started.