LAKERS DESTROY ROCKETS BY 40

Kobe Bryant needed only three quarters to score 26 points and the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from their Game 4 flop, killing the Houston Rockets in a 118-78 tonight to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Lakers did everything they didn't do in Sunday's 99-87 loss at Houston they hustled, rebounded and played tight defense on Houston's smaller lineup, keeping Aaron Brooks in check. Lakers are going to close it out thursday. Be sure to stop by Tradition and get the hottest Lakers tees.