Rockets gut out stunning victory over Lakers in Game 6

The Tin Man. The Grinch. Ebeneezer Scrooge. Kanye West's boo.

Heartless.

The complete opposite of the Yao Ming-less Houston Rockets after they stunned the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their Western Conference second-round series, 93-80, per the Houston Chronicle, on Thursday night at the Toyota Center.

Up next a decisive Game 7 (seems to be a postseason theme) back in L.A. -- a game the Lakers never wanted to see.

Point guard Aaron Brooks again played like a veteran, scoring 26 points for the Rockets. Luis Scola had 24 points for a Houston team which held the Lakers to just 13 points in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over only once on offense in the final period.

Houstonians were ecstatic, even making others believers:

1. 
   nesajo that doggone landry of the houston rockets working 4 his paycheck! kobe has a blank look... lakers who, what, where? 15 May 2009 from web
2. 
   HoustonPress RT @JRCohen I am getting Houston shaved onto the side of my head, like Artest. #Rockets #Domination #WorldChamps 15 May 2009 from web
3. 
   ByronicB Congrats to my houston rockets for holding it down without Tracy mcgrady and Yao Ming !! Clutch city baby!!! 15 May 2009 from Twitterena
4. 
   tmoguel No superstars, no problem. WE HAVE A SUPERSTAR TEAM! GO HOUSTON ROCKETS! 15 May 2009 from TwitterFox
5. 
   JJaneBB I don't usually love on the Houston Rockets (I'm a Spurs chick), but today I do. Lovelovelovelove! 15 May 2009 from web
6. 
   MawiWowie Houston Rockets=lunch bucket team of the NBA...no stars, just hardwork! Looks like it's going back to LA for Game 7 15 May 2009 from web
7. 
   josefhiggins I'm surprisedQ! After the last game I peg H-Town to lose. Go Houston Rockets!!! I will never doubt you all again. Im sorry. 15 May 2009 from web

Time to play the blame game SoCal-style:

1. 
   chargersgrl85 @kaj33 where's the fire! Lakers need offensive boards! Kareem suit up! We need you on the floor!! 15 May 2009 from TwitterFon in reply to kaj33
2. 
   vipTC The lakers are just plain embarrassing 15 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   GPWriter 77 points?!!!!! What a pathetic offensive performance by lakers
   Will they blow game 7 at home?
   Laker nation in shambles #lakers #nba 15 May 2009 from TwitterFon
4. 
   DarrylHooper The Lakers look stunned...they just can't believe someone is giving it to them. 15 May 2009 from web
5. 
   jkrums It is Kobe's fault... The lakers don't deserve the championship.. The guys are not hungry.. 15 May 2009 from Tweetie
6. 
   ThugRockStar How do the Lakers have this tough of a time with a HOU team missing T-Mac and Yao. They ain't gonna beat the Nuggets. 15 May 2009 from PockeTwit
7. 
   FranDamme I'm in a BAD MOOD.. Rick Adelman's teams always give the Lakers trouble- Blazers, Kings, and now the Rockets 15 May 2009 from web

The Rockets never say die attitude carried over to their fans who were even a little cocky:

(Twitpic by @mdrewgo)

Rockets gut out stunning victory over Lakers in Game 6