Lakers 118, Rockets 78

Lakers forward Pau Gasol reacts after dunking over Houston forward Shane Battier in the first half Tuesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar pounds his chest after making a three-pointer in the first half Tuesday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Josh Powell blocks the shot of Houston point guard Aaron Brooks but is called for a foul on the play in the first half Tuesday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol blocks the shot of Rockets forward Shane Battier in the first half Tuesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar puts up a three-pointer in front of Rockets forward Shane Battier and guard Aaron Brooks in the first quarter Tuesday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol flips a shot toward the basket over a group of Rockets defenders in the first half Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Luke Walton tries to take a rebound away from Houston forward Luis Scola in the first half Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant powers his way past Rockets forward Shane Battier for a layup in the first half Tuesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Brian Cook plays tight defense on Lakers forward Pau Gasol in the first half Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom pulls a rebound away from Houston forward Carl Landry in the third quarter Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant charges into Rockets forwards Brian Cook and Shane Battier during the third quarter Tuesday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives past Luis Scola for a left-handed layup in Game 5 on Tuesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom goes for a layup against the defense of Rockets forwards Shane Battier and Carl Landry in the third quarter Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and forward Pau Gasol battle Rockets guard Kyle Lowry and forward Chuck Hayes for a rebound in Game 5 on Tuesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Injured center Yao Ming of the Rockets has a hard time watching as the Lakers rout Houston, 118-78, in Game 5 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant puts his head down and tries to clear some space to operate against the defense of Rockets forward Brian Cook in the third quarter Tuesday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers big men (from left) Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol relax on the bench during their 40-point victory over Houston in Game 5 on Tuesday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher give some direction to a teammate from the bench during Game 5 on Tuesday night.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol gets an easy basket inside against the Rockets in the third quarter Tuesday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio helps Rockets guard Brent Barry back onto the court after Barry went into the courtside seats chasing a loose ball in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Houston players watch from the bench as the Lakers rout the Rockets, 118-78, in Game 5 on Tuesday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Josh Powell and Houston forward Carl Landry end up on the court in an effort to get to a loose ball in Game 5 on Tuesday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers players relax on the bench as fans cheer during the team’s 40-point rout of the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers plays the national anthem before Game 5 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Brian Cook, a former Laker, stretches in preparation for Game 5 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Jeremy Piven talks with Lakers forward Luke Walton before the start of Game 5 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Ron Artest greets Dr. Dre courtside at Staples Center before the start of Game 5 on Tuesday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)