Houston led 46-44 at halftime, as both teams rediscovered their shooting touch.
Shaquille O'Neal blocked Yao Ming's first two shots on the game's first possession, and swatted away two Maurice Taylor attempts in the fourth quarter as the Lakers turned a comfortable lead into a blowout.
Derek Fisher hit both 3-pointers he attempted in the first half, giving him 124 in his playoff career and tying him with Michael Cooper as the Lakers' all-time postseason leader.
All of the Lakers' injured regulars played, and a couple even thrived. Fisher's defense against Steve Francis was sturdy, and his 11-point night included body-sacrificing driving layup against Jim Jackson that he converted for a three-point play in the fourth quarter. The strained groin never was an issue.
Karl Malone got more comfortable on his sprained right ankle and showed none of the hesitation that fed a 3-for-14 night in Game 1. He hit his first shot of the game, a 16-footer from the right side, and had 10 points and five rebounds by halftime. He finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Spurs 87, Grizzlies 70
The San Antonio Spurs went on a 14-0 run early in the final period, and their defense held Memphis without a field goal for nearly 11 minutes in a 87-70 win Monday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
Tony Parker led San Antonio with 27 points, and Tim Duncan scored 14 of his 23 in the second half. Robert Horry added 14 points for the Spurs, who shut down Pau Gasol in the second half to win their 13th straight game.
Game 3 is Thursday night at Memphis.
Memphis, which trailed by 11 at halftime, made its push to open the third quarter. Mike Miller, held scoreless in Game 1, scored nine quick points, and a pair of free throws by Stromile Swift cut the difference to 55-54.
Robert Horry made two 3-pointers and a putback, and Parker hit his fourth 3-pointer to put the Spurs ahead 68-59 after three quarters. Memphis didn't get its next basket until Bonzi Wells had a putback with 5:02 remaining in the game to make it 82-62
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