Lakers 118, Rockets 78

Lakers Kobe Bryant drives past Rockets Shane Battier in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Houston Rockets watch from the bench while losing to the Lakers by 40 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / 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 guard Kobe Bryant battles his way to the basket as he is tightly covered by Rockets defenders Carl Landry, left, and Shane Battier during the third quarter in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / 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)

Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant, top, and Shannon Brown battle Rockets forward Luis Scola for a loose ball during the second half of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant encounters Rockets forward Brian Cook, a former teammate, during the third quarter. Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant goes around Houston’s Shane Battier for a reverse layup. Bryant had 20 of his 26 points in the first half.  (Robert Gauthier / 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)

Lakers Shannon Brown collides with Rockets Shane Battier in game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)