If they still have any hopes and aspirations of finishing second in the Western Conference, this will be a must-win game for them. They're currently in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 45-29 record, while the Rockets are 3.5 games ahead of them in second place with a 49-26 mark.

In their last 13 games, the Rockets had secured victories in 12, making them a formidable opponent. This matchup, played in Los Angeles, was marked by a defensive intensity that kept the score low. Both teams faced off in a physical contest that showcased their strengths and weaknesses.

Monday night, the Lakers beat a Rockets team on the second night of a back-to-back 104-98. While we don't want to read too much into one game, this one shed some light on these teams heading into the playoffs because of its intensity.