High-five, high-10, 15, 20 ... and keep going until you get to 40 -- as in 40-1 -- if you want to know the odds of the Lakers winning the NBA championship. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Injured point guard Steve Nash celebrates as the Lakers finish off a 99-95 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rockets forward Chandler Parsons celebrates with teammates after tying the score against the Lakers at the end of the fourth quarter with a long three-pointer. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol and Rockets guard Carlos Delfino battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Dwight Howard is fouled by Rockets center Omer Asik in the second half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol has the ball stolen by Rockets guard James Harden during the game Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol forces Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin to pass after a drive in the second half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers point guard Steve Blake tries to get his hand on a loose ball as he battles Rockets forward Terrence Jones on Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Coach Mike D’Antoni argues a call during the Lakers’ victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol is fouled by Rockets guard Carlos Delfino during L.A.’s victory Wednesday at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rockets center Omer Asik fouls Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) during a battle for a rebound in the first half Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers point guard Darius Morris charges into Rockets guard Patrick Beverly in the first half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol takes a forearm to his chin from Rockets power forward Greg Smith as the two battle alongside Houston guard James Harden for rebounding position Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward Earl Clark has his shot blocked by Rockets forward Terrence Jones in the first half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers point guard Steve Blake drives past Rockets guard Francisco Garcia for a layup in the first half Wednesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin looks to pass against the double-team defense of Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) and point guard Steve Blake in the first half Wednesday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Lakers big men Dwight Howard, left, and Pau Gasol talk strategy during a break in play against the Rockets on Wednesday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol works his way inside against Rockets power forward Greg Smith. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Lakers center Dwight Howard is fouled by Rockets center Omer Asik in the first half Wednesday night at Staples Center. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Lakers power forward Pau Gasol tries to block a shot by Rockets power forward Greg Smith in the first half Wednesday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Rockets guard James Harden reacts after making a three-point shot against the Lakers in the first half Wednesday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
