That was the story, per ESPN, as the Lakers emptied seats as early as halftime with a 118-78 romp over the despondent Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
A game after stunning the Lakers behind Aaron Brooks' 36 points, the Rockets appeared disinterested allowing the Lakers to run out to a 40-point lead at halftime and GM Jeanie Buss (@jeaniebuss) to start Tweeting about the billions of celebrities around her (seriously, the whole night).
JeffMadsenobv Are we at the oscars? Sooo many celebs here. Lakers just killing like they should
russbengtson I wish Jeannie Buss would at least post entertaining celebrity news: "Wow, I really wish my dad would stop hitting on Miley Cyrus."
Kobe Bryant scored 26 points for L.A. which is now a win away from facing the Nuggets-Mavericks winner in the Western Conference Finals.
Chris20901 Ladies and gentlemen, the Los Angeles Lakers have FINALLY arrived to the NBA Playoffs! Watch out! #Lakers
jyetownend double victory tonight... Lakers and the Ducks win!!!
Caralvarez24 Lakers Win! 40 point beatdown!
kilodelasoul Lakers win by 40... Kyle still not satisfied....I wanted someone dead
Sirkobemvp #LAKERS AND #KOBE ARE PHENOMENAL ! 40 POINT VICTORY WAY TO SHOW THEM WHO'S COURT THEY WERE ON.
Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist Flea played the Star Spangled Banner to open the night:
Important game in the City of Angels tonight as Kobe Bryant and the Lakers attempt to take Game 5 of their Western Conference second-round series against the Yao-less Houston Rockets.
Find out what everyone's thinking on our Live Tweet Log, @BTsports:
END OF THIRD QUARTER:
Lakers are still dominating, 94-54. It will be interesting to see what happens when the Rockets return to Texas.
For today, there's only one real brightspot for the Rockets and that is second-year point guard Aaron Brooks' play (two games in a row) .
Yet Tweeters aren't giving him respect except for, umm, intangibles:
Ken_Do_ @SimplyPatsy aaron brooks has a career high and I doubt he will ever score 30 points again. We have legit players!!
ohmrwilson Ayo...aaron brooks looks like chris rock! Lmao
END OF SECOND QUARTER:
Lakers' GM Jeannie Buss was star-watching, USC coach Pete Carroll was tweeting, and many others were loving what Kobe was up to. Houston? We have a problem.
Kobe has 20 points on just 13 shots. Lakers lead 64-39.
JeanieBuss Denzel Washington and his gorgeous wife Pauletta are sitting in front of me on the floor. They are great fans love them.
PeteCarroll Lakers are rolling early!!
dbowe44 I'm so disgusted with the Houston Rockets right now...at least give the Lakers a fight.
OhAlisa @Uncle_Trav pray for the Houston Rockets LOL
ShadCharleston @YungStreetz Owww,Looks like Kobe Swag Surfin' on them Boys.
END OF FIRST QUARTER:
Jordan Farmar hits a three-pointer at buzzer giving the Lakers a nine-point lead heading to the second-quarter. Kobe Bryant already has 12 points.
DavidWesleyBlum Jordan Farmar is hitting buzzer-beaters. This game looks over already...
lakersfanweb Jordan Farmar hits from downtown at the buzzer! LAKERS 35, ROCKETS 24 at the end of 1st.
LAMase Jordan Farmar with the EXCLAMATION POINT! Started out slow, but Lakers lead by 11 end of 1. Crowd went nuts when Farmer hit that 3.
ROCtheSHO Shout out to Jordan Farmar w/ the 3 from Jerusalem. You cool w/ my boy Dave so u def cool w/ me. OK lakers.
PREGAME:
USC head football coach Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) did some Tweeting with @Lakers about the nuances of the NBA and living and competing in L.A.
Lakers @PeteCarroll It has to be easier dealing with 15 players as opposed to 80 right?
A Tweeter was lucky enough to be on the Staples Center court during pregame:
(twitpic by @duranla)
