Kobe's 40 lead Lakers to even series in emotional game

As expected, the Lakers really came after their opponent early in the game - scoring 39pts in the 1st quarter where they built a 14pt lead. But Houston stormed back in the 2nd period, outscoring L.A 32-18. At halftime, the game was tied. Then, things heat up considerably after the break....enough to produce five technicals, one flagrant foul and two ejections.

- Scola, Odom and Walton all were hit with technicals after they jawed. 
- Moments later,  Fisher get ejected when he collided with Scola, who was setting a pick - Scola fell hard on the floor.
- Then, Kobe and Artest were fighting for position under the basket - KB threw an elbow to Artest who didn't appreciate. He jogged across the court toward the refs, complaining, then toward Kobe, pointing and yelling. He pressed against his chest, got in his face and shouted. Kobe didn't react. Artest was ejected.
- Kobe hit a jumper and talked trash Battier - technical for Kobe.

You understand, emotions boiled over in the 2nd half unlike in game 1 where the Lakers seemed to play like they still were in the regular season.

But if some players are distracted by getting emotional, there's a guy who absolutely love it. Kobe embraced the tension and scored 40pts (16/27FGS) to lead the Lakers to a 111-98 victory over the Rockets.

The league is now watching the hard plays and will decide wether some players should be suspended. Fisher is the main target and the most expected to be banned for a game.

But this is what the playoffs is all about. The series is now tied before game 3 @Houston on Friday.