Lakers 89, Rockets 70

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to disrupt the post-up move by Houston guard Ron Artest in the first half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gets tangled with Rockets guard Ron Artest after a battle in the lane during the first half Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum steals the ball from Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks, who was driving through the lane, in the first half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Derek Fisher cheers from the bench after teammate Jordan Farmar scored in the first half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza finishes off a breakaway dunk in front of Rockets guard Ron Artest in Game 7 on Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza dunks in front of Houston’s Ron Artest in the first half Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol pulls down one of his 18 rebounds in the game over Houston’s Chuck Hayes (44) and Luis Scola on Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks drives along the baseline as Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) helps teammate Jordan Farmar (5) on defense.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Aaron Brooks flips the ball toward the basket after drawing a foul from Lakers forward Trevor Ariza in the first half Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant takes the ball to the rim despite the defense of Houston power forward Luis Scola during Game 7 on Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza and fans courtside celebrate after he made a three-pointer in the first half Sunday. > > > More photos  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol blocks the shot of Houston forward Carl Landry during Game 7 on Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum keeps the ball away from Houston point guard Aaron Brooks before passing to teammate Kobe Bryant in the first half Sunday.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom reacts after coming away with a rebound during the Game 7 victory on Sunday.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza blocks the shot of Houston point guard Aaron Brooks on a breakaway attempt Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol, who had a double-double by halftime, powers his way past Houston forward Carl Landry in the second half Sunday.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston point guard Aaron Brooks is hardly a bother to Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who slams home two of his 14 points in Game 7 on Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston forward Shane Battier strips the ball from Lakers guard Shannon Brown in the fourth quarter Sunday.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum elevates over the defense of Houston’s Shane Battier and Luis Scola during Game 7 on Sunday. Bynum finished the game with 14 points and six rebounds.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic winces after drawing a foul on a dunk during Game 7 on Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant loses control of the ball after colliding with Houston forward Shane Battier in Game 7 on Sunday. Bryant was called for a charge on the play.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Shannon Brown is struck by the elbow of Houston guard Kyle Lowry in Game 7 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom gets between Houston’s Ron Artest, right, and Shane Battier for a rebound in Game 7 on Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol gets high-fives from teammates as he exits Game 7 on Sunday afternoon. Gasol finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Shannon Brown looks to pass and avoid a charge as Rockets forward Carl Landry cuts off his drive in the lane during Game 7 on Sunday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Ron Artest (96) gives comfort to teammates Von Wafer (13) and Carl Landry as their fate is all but sealed in the fourth quarter Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant talk after the Lakers defeated the Rockets, 89-70, in Game 7 on Sunday at Staples Center.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)