Bynum suspended 5 games

The league down hard on Andrew Bynum this afternoon, suspending him without pay for the first five games of 2011-12 and fining him an additional $25,000 for taking off his jersey while leaving the court after knocking Dallas guard J.J. Barea to the floor in the fourth quarter of Game 4 on Sunday. The league said he was suspended for “making unnecessary and excessive contact” with Barea, who was driving to the basket. Earlier today, Bynum apologized for his actions and said he had tried to contact Barea.