On most nights – during the regular season, anyways – the Los Angeles Lakers usually make short work of their opponents.  During the postseason?  Not so much, as evidenced by allowing the Houston Rockets to last until Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. 

But nonetheless, there both were at Staples Center for the final game; the winner advances while the loser went home.  Perhaps a slight twist was in store for Los Angeles as Pau Gasol, instead of Kobe Bryant would prove to be the difference as he took over on offense and defense.  Gasol scored 21 points while grabbing 18 rebounds, allowing Los Angeles to eliminate the Houston Rockets from the playoffs 89-70.

While neither team shot particularly well, the Lakers applied some smothering defense as they blocked 10 shots, enjoyed a 20-rebound advantage while stealing the ball 8 times.  While Houston missed their first 12 shots, Los Angeles benefited from two Rockets turnovers and a blocked shot to race to an early 8-0 lead at 9:32 of the first quarter; Houston would miss seven shots during the next 2 1/2 minutes and would finally get on the scoreboard on a pair of free throws by Aaron Brooks.

The Lakers would go up 13-2 before the Rockets scored their first basket – a Chuck Hayes layup; as a result, Los Angeles would go into the second quarter ahead 22-12.  Leading by 19, the Lakers would score six straight late in the quarter, capped by a Bryant steal in which he would feed Trevor Ariza the ball, ending in a slam; the Lakers went into halftime with a 51-31 advantage. For the final 24 minutes, Los Angeles would go into cruise control, sealing the win.

Los Angeles’ high scorer was Gasol with 21 points, 18 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 3 blocks while Ariza added 15 with 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks; Andrew Bynum and Bryant chipped in 14 apiece – with Bynum grabbing 6 rebounds along with a steal and 2 blocks while Bryant grabbed 7 boards, dished out 5 assists along with 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Houston was led by Brooks with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Luis Scola added 11 with 6 rebounds, an assist and a steal; Von Wafer chipped in 10 with 2 rebounds.  Los Angeles, with the win, will now take on the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals Tuesday night from the Staples Center.