Basketball: Bryant inspires Lakers

Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 40 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 111-98 yesterday and level their Western Conference semifinal series at 1-1.

Stung by their surprise 100-92 homecourt loss on Tuesday, the Lakers shrugged off a spirited Rockets display in the second quarter with Bryant the best player of the night in a heated contest.