In the 2009 Western Conference semifinals, the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers defeated the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in a tough, seven-game series to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
The Rockets took Game 1 at Staples Center and put the Lakers on their heels right away; however, the Lakers emerged victorious in the next two games to take a one-game advantage. Game 4 went to the Rockets to tie the series and make it a best two-out-of-three series.
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In Game 5, the Lakers dominated the game and won by 40 points to put themselves on the brink of advancement. They would be unable to end the series in six game when the Rockets defended their home court and won 95-80 to push the series to a deciding Game 7.
The final game was never really close, as the Lakers dominated from the start and carried a 20-point lead into the half that they would not relinquish. Pau Gasol led the way in the final game with 21 points and 18 rebounds to help the team advance to take on the Denver Nuggets.
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