LAKERS 111, HOUSTON 98

Kobe Bryant celebrates with the crowd after scoring a basket and being fouled in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series with the Rockets at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Ron Artest and Lakers guard Derek Fisher wrestle for control of the ball in the second half in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Jack Nicholson screams at referee Bill Spooner late in the fourth quarter during a raucus game between the Lakers and Rockets in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant seemingly doesn’t want any part of Ron Artest‘s antics in the fourth quarter. Artest, who scored 25 points, was ejected with 6:56 to play and Bryant later got a technical of his own  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Houston Rockets wait for a referee’s ruling after a technical foul was called in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Sasha Vujacic and the Rockets Aaron Brooks collide during a play in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant makes a pass in front of Rockets Chuck Hayes in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Lamar Odom fouls Rockets Carl Landry in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets Ron Artest and Lakers Kobe Bryant have to be separated by referee Joey Crawford in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum delivers a hard foul to Rockets forward Carl Landry in the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom walks to the Staples Center along Figueroa Street before the start of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)