But Bryant missed four of his next six shots and Brooks scored eight points over the next five minutes to secure another surprise over the Western Conference’s top seed.

“I think it’s fun,” Brooks said. “We enjoy it. We got them on their heels a little bit. The pressure’s on them.”

The Rockets scored 40 points in the paint and held Los Angeles to 36 percent shooting (30-for-84). The Lakers went only 5-for-23 from 3-point range.

Houston opened the game with a 17-1 burst, electrifying another red-clad capacity crowd at the Toyota Center.

Bryant made the Lakers’ first field goal near the 6-minute mark, but Scola put in another short jumper to make it 19-3 — one point better than Houston’s opening run in Game 4.

Houston stayed in control for the entire half and Bryant’s frustration boiled over near the 2-minute mark.

With Ron Artest blanketing him near midcourt, Bryant appeared to shove Artest and earned a technical foul. The temperamental Artest, ejected from Games 2 and 3, ran away to avoid a confrontation and Brooks sank the free throw for a 47-31 Houston lead.

“I’ve stopped trying to figure this team out,” Battier said. “Just when you think we’re down and out, this team comes with an unbelievable effort. We may not have the most talented team, but there’s not a team with more heart in this entire league. We’ve shown it again and again and again.”

Notes: The Rockets have won 11 of their last 12 home games. ... The team winning after the first quarter has won all 12 of Houston’s postseason games. ... The Lakers are 30-4 all-time in seven-game series when they have a 3-2 lead.

More news

Jim Rogash / Getty Images

Not in his house

Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 on Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

CSN: Rondo's big-game DNA shines  |  Highlights

CSN: You may not see it from start to finish, but when the game — or in this case, postseason life — is on the line, you see just how good Rajon Rondo can be.

Headlines

• Label

CSN: 76ers impressive, but Collins wants more

CSN: Game 7 means 'fighting for your jersey'

CSN: Surgery ends season for Celtics' Bradley

James, Heat start tuning for East finals

SportsTalk: Do Heat actually want Celtics?

PBT: Spoelstra fined $25K for criticizing officials

PBT: Knicks give Woodson multiyear extension

Thunder, Spurs ready to finally settle West's best