Lakers player grades: L.A. clinches third seed with win over Rockets

The Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers' opponent on Friday, decided to rest most of their starters since they had already clinched the second seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers could've used that as an excuse to put forth a lazy and casual performance, especially since they needed just one more win to secure the third seed and have one more game on Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

Instead, they were focused throughout and took care of business against a vastly inferior opponent, something they have seldom done over the last two seasons.

The Lakers led 38-32 at the end of the first quarter, and before long, they had established a double-digit lead. They never looked back,…