Lakers vs. Rockets series

Lakers Kobe Bryant defends against Rockets Ron Artest in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets Aaron Brooks goes flying after a block by Trevor Ariza, left, and a recovery by Jordan Farmar in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Shannon Brown gets an elbow to the eye from Rockets Kyle Lowry in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum slams home two of his 14 points over Rockets defender Aaron Brooks in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Ron Artest charges into Lakers defender Luke Walton as Jordan Farmar sneaks in from behind during the first half in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers coach Phil Jackson walks off the floor following after Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A security guard watches a pre-game presentation at the start of Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant argues an official’s call in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Fans celebrate following the Lakers’ win in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Ron Artest, center, consoles teammates Von Wafer, left, and Carl Landry late in a game 7 89-70 loss to LA in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series at the Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Jordan Farmar holds the ball in disgust while losing to the Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Jordan Farmar tries to steal the ball away from Rockets Carl Landry during Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Lamar Odom blocks a shot by Rockets Carl Landry in Game 6 of the semifinal in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick sneak a kiss as they take in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers were able to contain Rockets guard Aaron Brooks in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol listens to the national anthem before Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant before the start of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Injured Rockets center Yao MIng can’t stand to watch his team go down to a lopsided loss in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Trevor Ariza dunks all by himself as Rocket defensers trail in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Josh Powell and Rockets Carl Landry battle for a loose ball in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers from left, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol relax on the bench while cruising to a 40-point win over the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets Aaron Brooks celebrates along with the crowd while making a basket with .07 at the end of the 3rd quarter in front of Lakers Jordan Farmar during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol battles for a rebound with Rockets Shane Battier,left, Ron Artest and Kyle Lowry during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant gets a hand in the face from Rockets Luis Scola during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Referees have to step in between Lakers Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest after an exchange of words during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has a few words with Sasha Vujacic during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Pau Gasol hangs on to the net in frustration after a foul against the Rockets during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Lamar Odom, grimacing, is helped by teammates from left Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Andrew Bynum after falling to the floor during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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)

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)

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)

Guard Kobe Bryant argues a call late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 100-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.   (Luis Sinco, / Los Angeles Times)

Center Yao Ming and his Rockets teammates on the bench cheer after Houston scored against the Lakers in Game 1 on Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets center Yao Ming went to the floor in pain after bumping knees with a driving Kobe Bryant of the Lakers in the second half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston forward Shane Battier tries to call for time after getting hit in the face by the arm of Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic while trying to get a rebound in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Shane Battier strips the ball from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the second half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)