Rockets 99, Lakers 87

Houston guard Ron Artest makes the block but fouls Lakers forward Pau Gasol in the process during the first half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Luke Walton muscles his way toward the basket between Houston’s Von Wafer, left, and Carl Landry in the first half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Luis Scola takes a rebound from in front of Lakers forward Lamar Odom in the first half Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Josh Powell try to keep up with Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks on a baseline drive Sunday during Game 4.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Referees step between the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Houston’s Ron Artest after the two exchanged words in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar is about to steal the ball from Houston forward Shane Battier, who was fouled on the play by Lakers forward Pau Gasol during Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Shane Battier knocks the ball loose from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in Game 4 on Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Houston fans applaud after Rockets guard Aaron Brooks made an alley-oop layup over Lakers guard Jordan Farmar following a half-court pass from teammate Ron Artest to close the third quarter Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson shares his thoughts with guard Sasha Vujacic on Sunday in Game 4 at Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar loses control of the ball while trying to drive on Houston’s Aaron Brooks in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom fouls Houston forward Luis Scola as they battle for a rebound Sunday in Game 4.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Shannon Brown fouls Houston’s Kyle Lowry while trying to prevent a layup during Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum and guard Shannon Brown try to trap Houston guard Kyle Lowry in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom heads toward the floor after charging into Houston forward Shane Battier (31) in the second half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom, doubled over in pain, is surrounded by teammates (from left) Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Andrew Bynum after falling to the court and suffering back spasms in the second half Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks, who finished with a playoff career-high 34 points, begins to celebrate in the final seconds of Houston’s 99-87 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol is surrounded by Rockets players (from left) Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Kyle Lowry as they go after a rebound in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets fans heckle Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar as he shoots a free throw in Game 4 on Sunday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton watch from the Lakers bench while Houston fans cheer for the Rockets in Game 4 on Sunday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)