The Clippers rookie got big minutes because, let's face it, with three low post players sidelined by injuries there just weren't many other options. And the guys on the other side knew it, which is why the Lakers fed Andrew Bynum the ball repeatedly and consistently, all game long.

Some of the results were predictable. Bynum finished with a career-high 42 points along with 15 rebounds and three blocked shots in the Lakers' 108-97 victory at Staples Center.

But what's this?

Jordan, the kid who couldn't even stay in Texas A&M's starting lineup last year as a freshman, dropped to the 35th pick of last June's draft and had been pretty much anchored to the bench until three weeks ago, had his own coming out party. He had 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, and he made 11 of 12 shots, 10 of them dunks.

"And the other one, he tried to dunk over three guys himself," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said.

"That was a lot of production out of D.J. for a guy who's gotten a tough baptism. He was gasping for air after 43 minutes. He hadn't seen 43 minutes in practice. But he showed he's picking things up."

The rash of injuries that has sent four Clippers regulars to the sidelines has meant opportunity for the 20-year-old Jordan to play, and for Dunleavy to get a good, long look.

The vision: a guy with a massive wingspan who can be a force at the defensive end and could eventually develop a decent offensive game.

The playing time "has kind of got me used to the game and slowed everything down," Jordan said. "I was getting four minutes here, 10 minutes there. Now I know I'm going to be out there for a long time. I know I have to be an anchor, because a lot of the bench is gone except for Brian Skinner."

Wednesday night he got five of his dunks off offensive rebounds and scored four times off lobs. Jordan's success probably mitigated some of the joy Bynum might have felt over a big offensive night, because Phil Jackson and the Lakers coaching staff were almost certainly grumbling about the defensive flaws.

"He's very athletic, and whenever you try to help on a screen roll it's just deadly," Bynum said. "He's gonna roll to the basket, and somebody's got to be there to pick him up early. If not, he's going to dunk the ball."

This, then, was a matchup of two young centers at various stages of development. While Jordan enjoyed his jam session, Bynum brought out the entire toolbox: layups and dunks, putbacks and short to mid-range jump shots.

Not bad for a third option.

"Whenever I make myself available, make myself a big enough target, the ball's going to come," Bynum said. "If it doesn't, then it doesn't, and that's the coach's job, to tell them to get the ball inside. But I think my teammates have trust in me on the block."

Said Jordan: "I was trying to block his shot almost every time. He's just so long and so skilled. He knows how to shoot it high and finish high."

Could this some day be a rivalry within a rivalry? The Clippers should be so lucky.

Reach Jim Alexander at 951-368-9543

or jalexander@PE.com