NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Houston 94

HOUSTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Kobe Bryant scored 33 points Friday and the Los Angeles Lakers ground out a 108-94 win over Houston in Game 3 of their playoff series.

The Lakers assumed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals and regained home-court advantage. Los Angeles will try to make it three victories in a row Sunday when Houston hosts Game 4.

The Los Angeles-Houston series has been marked by extra physical play on both sides, but Friday's game was relatively calm until the final moments. Houston's Ron Artest, who along with the Lakers' Derek Fisher was ejected from the second game, fouled Pau Gasol hard as he went up for a layup in the final minute. After looking at a replay, the officials decided Artest's foul warranted expulsion from the game.

Bryant took 28 shots from the field and made 11 of them while going 7-of-8 from the line and grabbing six rebounds.

Los Angeles led by just two points at halftime, but took control in the third period while limiting the Rockets to 14 points.

Lamar Odom added 16 points for the Lakers and Gasol had 13.

Houston's bid to stay in the game down the stretch was hampered by an obvious sore ankle suffered by center Yao Ming. He insisted on remaining on the court in the fourth quarter, but finally gave way in the final minute.

Artest scored 25 points and Yao had 19.

Los Angeles committed just five turnovers to 17 for the Rockets and the Lakers hit 11-of-20 shots from 3-point range.