Bodog Beat

After tonight, either the Houston Rockets or L.A. Lakers are going to have a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series. (AP Images)

The top-seeded Lakers no doubt figured that they would have a chance to close out the Rockets in Game 5 at Staples Center. But that was before the Rockets embarrassed Los Angeles 99-87 on Sunday, tying the series and picking up their pace a day after finding out that 7-foot-6 Yao Ming had a stress fracture in his left foot.

The series is guaranteed to go back to Houston for Game 6 on Thursday night.

The Lakers could be without Lamar Odom. He was listed as questionable for tonight's game after an MRI and CT scan showed he has a bruised lower back. Get all your NBA playoff odds in the Bodog Sportsbook now.

Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34 points in Game 4 and the Rockets will need that again to upset the Lakers at home.