Bynum’s recovery stays on schedule

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Meanwhile, back at home . . .

Andrew Bynum continues to heal, which the Lakers will accept as an added pick-me-up while working their way through a 15-day trip.

Bynum was expected to be out at least eight weeks after sustaining a bone bruise in his left knee and a dislocation of his left kneecap Jan. 13 against Memphis. He would return the week of March 9 if he came back eight weeks from the time of the injury.

“That was kind of the thought when the injury happened,” Lakers spokesman John Black said Friday. “We have no reason to change that right now. We will continue to monitor it.

“As far as the swelling goes, it looks more normal. He’s definitely not running or jogging, but he’s continuing treatment.”

Bynum was averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots a game when he got hurt.

Pau Gasol has been an immediate factor down low, allowing the Lakers to occasionally peer into the future, stopping at the day Bynum returns.

“We’re going to make a push,” Kobe Bryant said. “I think adding [Gasol] makes us a very strong team. Once we get ‘Drew back, just incorporating him in the mix, then we’ll be even better.”

The courteous, well-mannered Gasol is reluctant to say anything bad about the Memphis Grizzlies, the team that traded him midway through his seventh season with them.

But occasionally he speaks about negative experiences there, in a way that is more analytical than annoyed.

He said the difference in his short time with the Lakers had been “the atmosphere and the environment.”

“In Memphis, it’s always been a rebuilding situation,” he said. “A lot of youth, a lot of potential, never that the team built to win and tried to get to the second round of the playoffs or the third round. We had a couple of years that we had a pretty good run, but the playoffs came and we weren’t good enough.

“Here, this team is made to go far and deep in the playoffs. We have great players, great role players, a great coaching staff and a great organization. A lot of great things. We’re just going to try and take advantage of that.”

Should Bryant play in the All-Star game next Sunday if his dislocated right pinkie still hasn’t healed?

“No, he shouldn’t,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said quickly, perhaps only half-jokingly.

Then he took a longer stab at it.

“I’m sure Kobe wants to be part of this because of his continuous appearances there, but there’s some things I’m sure he’ll stay away from,” Jackson said. “Three-point shooting, that might be tough.”

Bryant, who was selected to his 10th All-Star game, might opt out of the three-point shooting contest next Saturday and play in the main event a day later.

Free-agent center DJ Mbenga will probably play his last game with the Lakers on Sunday in Miami. The team is not expected to sign him for the rest of the season after his second 10-day contract expires.

Mbenga is averaging 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in eight games.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com