Rockets 100, Lakers 92

Houston center Yao Ming blocks the shot of Lakers forward Lamar Odom but gets called for a foul on the play Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Houston forward Shane Battier tries to call for time after getting hit in the face by the arm of Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic while trying to get a rebound in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets center Yao Ming tries to collect a pass against the double-team defense of Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Trevor Ariza in the first quarter Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Derek Fisher steals the ball from Houston guard Kyle Lowry in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Andrew Bynum elevates above 7-foot-6 Yao Ming of Houston for a shot in the first half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives to the basket against Houston forwards Shane Battier, left, and Luis Scola in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic reacts after Houston guard Von Wafer turned the ball over in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Shane Battier collides with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in a scramble for a loose ball during the first half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Houston forward Shane Battier wrestle over a loose ball in the first half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant comes up with a loose ball in a battle with Houston forward Shane Battier in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Ron Artest slams the ball over the defense of Lakers forward Lamar Odom in the first half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston power forward Luis Scola takes out his frustration after being called for a foul in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher dispute a call giving possession of the ball to Houston in Game 1 on Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Von Wafer tries to fend off Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic during a chase for a loose ball in the first half Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom tries to block the shot of Houston center Yao Ming in the first half Monday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets Coach Rick Adelman heads toward the locker room at halftime with his team leading the Lakers, 43-40.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets forward Shane Battier draws a charge from Lakers forward Pau Gasol in the second half Monday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets center Yao Ming went to the floor in pain after bumping knees with a driving Kobe Bryant of the Lakers in the second half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston center Yao Ming writhes in pain as a trainer checks on him after injuring his knee in the second half of Monday night’s game.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant covers Houston guard Ron Artest as he tries to make a pass while staying inbounds in Game 1 on Monday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Center Yao Ming and his Rockets teammates on the bench cheer after Houston scored against the Lakers in Game 1 on Monday night.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol tries to get a shot inside against Houston center Yao Ming in the second half Monday night. > > > More photos  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant disagrees with a call by a referee during Game 1 on Monday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic try to prevent Rockets forward Luis Scola from getting a layup in Game 1 on Monday night. Scola was fouled on the play.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant appears a bit perplexed during a break in play in the fourth quarter Monday night.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Pau Gasol loses control of the ball as he makes a move against Rockets center Yao Ming during Game 1 on Monday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Guard Kobe Bryant argues a call late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 100-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.   (Luis Sinco, / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets guard Ron Artest gets tangled with Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Trevor Ariza in the second half Monday night.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Houston center Yao Ming gets inside Lakers forward Pau Gasol for a dunk in the second half Monday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic champs on his shirt as the final minute winds down in a 100-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)