Game 7: Lakers Cruise to Series Victory

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 89-70, winning the Western Conference Semi-Finals four games to three. The Lakers returned to form after struggling in Game 6, and used stifling defense to keep Houston from mounting a comeback. LA out-rebounded the Rockets 55-33, as well as 13-5 on the offensive glass, and blocked 10 of Houston's shots. The Rockets could not score more than 20 points in any quarter, and only shot .368 from the field. Pau Gasol dominated the inside, scoring 21 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and collecting 3 blocks. Trevor Ariza had 15 points, and Kobe Bryant added 14, three steals, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Andrew Bynum scored 14 points, snagged 6 boards, and blocked 2 shots. Aaron Brooks led Houston with 13 points, and Luis Scola had 11.

The Lakers will play the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

Game 6: Lakers Slow Out of Gate in Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 95-80, tying the series at 3 games apiece and forcing a decisive Game 7 to determine both teams' fate. The Lakers were put into an early hole after Houston took a 17-1 lead to start the game, and never recovered. LA scored just 15 points in the first and fourth quarters as their poor shooting did them in; the Lakers shot just a paltry .357 from the field. Kobe Bryant led the Purple and Gold with 32 points, and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Farmar was the only other Laker to score in double-figures with 13 points. Aaron Brooks exploited LA's perimeter defense as he scored 26 points, and Luis Scola put up 24 and 12 rebounds. Carl Landry added 15 points off the bench. Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Game 5: Lakers Exact Revenge

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 118-78, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Lakers dominated from the beginning, outscoring Houston 35-24 in the first quarter. The Rockets then scored 15 points in each of the next two quarters. LA put up a .512 shooting percentage, while Houston shot just .326. The Purple and Gold defeated the Rockets in almost every catagory, including rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocked shots, and fouls. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 26 points, and Pau Gasol added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Andrew Bynum had his best night of the playoffs, scoring 14 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza had 13 and 3 steals. Jordan Farmar, Lamar Odom, and Josh Powell each scored in double-figures off the bench. Aaron Brooks led Houston with 14 points, Luis Scola had 12, and Von Wafer added 13.

Game 4: Lakers Go Silent in Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 99-87 in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals, evening the series at two games apiece. The Lakers were quiet right from the start, exiting the first-quarter trailing 29-16, and entering halftime down by 18. Only a 33-16 fourth quarter made the final score respectable. LA was only 11-for-18 from the free-throw line, and Houston was 17-for-20. Both teams were evenly matched in shooting percentage, turnovers, and blocked shots, while the Rockets won in rebounds, assists, and fouls. Pau Gasol dominated with the absence of Yao Ming, scoring 30 points, and Kobe Bryant was quiet with just 15. Shannon Brown added 14 off the bench. Without Yao Ming, the Rockets took advantage of their back-court offense as Aaron Brooks scored 34 points. Shane Battier had five 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, and Luis Scola added 11 and 14 rebounds.

Game 1: Rockets Stun Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 100-92, dropping the first game of the Western Conference semi-finals. The Lakers managed to shoot just .448 from the field, including a meager 2-for-18 from behind the arc. LA committed 26 fouls, and sent Houston to the line 29 times. The Purple and Gold only had 19 free-throw opportunities, and hit just 12 of them. Kobe Bryant scored 32 points and collected 8 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Yao Ming dominated with 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Ron Artest scored 21 points and threw in 7 assists. Aaron Brooks easily overcame his matchup with Derek Fisher to get 19 points. The Lakers lose their home-court advantage with the defeat.