?Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant( L) drives the ball in the second half during Game 7 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, May 17, 2009.[Xinhua Photo]

The Los Angeles Lakers advanced into the NBA Western Conference final after routing the Houston Rockets 89-70 in Game 7 to win the playoffs second round series at 4-3 on Sunday.

Pau Gasol had 21 points and 18 rebounds for the Lakers, who was doubted by critics for their sloppy performance against lower ranked and undermanned Houston Rockets.

Trevor Ariza scored 15 points while Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum 14 apiece. Bryant added five assists and seven rebounds.

The Lakers dominated the paint on both ends, forcing the Rockets into turnovers and bad shots, and owning the backboards. They had an 8-0 lead a few minutes in and widened it to 25 points on Gasol's jump hook shortly before halftime.

Aaron Brooks scored 13 and Luis Scola 11 for Houston. Ron Artest (seven points) and Shane Battier (three) were non-factors.

The Lakers, trying to reach the NBA finals for the second straight year, host the opener of the conference finals against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2009)