NBA reduces bans for Bynum, Villanueva

The NBA has reduced suspensions for the Lakers' Andrew Bynum and the Pistons' Charlie Villanueva by one game because of the shortened season. The league on Friday trimmed one game off the five-game ban Bynum was given for knocking the Mavericks' J.J. Barea to the court in the second round of last season's playoffs. The center will now miss the first four games and be eligible to return Dec. 31 against Denver. Villanueva was originally suspended five games for instigating an altercation with Cleveland's Ryan Hollins and attempting to escalate it by entering the Cavaliers' locker room. He served a game of it last season and will have to miss the first three of this season, and is also eligible to play to New Year's Eve against Indiana.