The Los Angeles Lakers were the representatives of the Western Conference in the 2009 NBA Finals. The Lakers finished with the best record in the West during the 2008-09 regular season, earning the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. during the Western Conference playoffs. Here are brief recaps of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2009 NBA Western Conference playoff series:

1. First round. As the No. 1 seed in the West, the Lakers drew No. 8 seed Utah Jazz in the first round. The Lakers won the first 2 games at home with mediocre performances that drew criticism from the media and the fans. The Jazz then won Game 3 in Salt Lake City before the Lakers rallied and won Game 4 to take a dominant 3-1 series lead. The Lakers closed the series by beating the Utah Jazz in Game 5 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

2. Second Round. In the second round, the Lakers were paired with the Houston Rockets who had just eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The Rockets surprised the Lakers and won Game 1 at the Lakers’ home before the Lakers rallied to win Game 2 and tie the series at 1-1. Then the Lakers played a great Game 3 on the Houston court to win and regain home court advantage. Things looked bleak for the Houston Rockets when their superstar center Yao Ming was ruled out of the rest of the playoffs after suffering an injury in Game 3, but the Rockets played with great determination to win 2 of the next 3 games and force the decision. Game 7. The Lakers responded to the challenge and won Game 7 comfortably on their home floor to close out the Rockets.

3. End of the conference. The Lakers faced the upstart Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Led by forward Carmelo Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets had made it through their previous two playoff rounds. But the Lakers were able to win Game 1 at home before the Nuggets beat the Lakers in Game 2 and tied the series 1-1. The Lakers and Nuggets split the next two games in Denver, before the Lakers won the critical Game 5 in Los Angeles. Fans on both sides expected a close and close Game 6 in Denver, but the Lakers won the game comfortably to close out the Nuggets and advance to the 2009 NBA Finals.