Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets live streaming, Josh Hart
Feb 15, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (5) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends during the second quarter at Target Center. USA TODAY Sports / Brace Hemmelgarn

In a battle between conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers (34-46) will host the Houston Rockets (64-16) at the Staples Center on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEDT). While the Rockets have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the West, the Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Despite the low stakes, both teams have a lot to play for, according to their coaches. The Rockets are trying to build some momentum entering the 2018 NBA Playoffs which gets underway on Saturday, April 15.

Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni has no intention to risk Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, who are nursing ankle injuries. "We're going to be very careful with whoever plays, let's put it that way. When we play, we're going to play hard. It might be for three quarters, it might be for a half, it might be for a quarter. That will be determined. Most guys want to play. If somebody needs a break, we'll give him one, but we'll be very careful about how much we play," he said on the eve of the game, via ESPN.

Lakers rookie Josh Hart, coming off back-to-back 20-point games, will continue to be a starter for Los Angeles. Lakers coach Luke Walton is particularly excited about Hart's potential. "Throughout the season, every time he gets the opportunity to play big minutes or have a bigger role, he has been pretty good for us. He is one of our best finishers, he's one of our best rebounders, and he can push it in transition."

Hart started in place of another rookie on Sunday. Kyle Kuzma missed the game after spraining an ankle against Minnesota. Los Angeles was also without rookie point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) and forward Brandon Ingram (concussion protocol).

"He's done a nice job of figuring out what the NBA game is about," Walton said. "I think he's another one of those guys that's going to have a big offseason, now that he's gotten to experience guarding James Harden, guarding other teams' best players, elite scorers, and also figured out where he can get his shots."

The Lakers are still without their three young stars -- Brandon Ingram (concussion protocol), Lonzo Ball (knee) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle). Besides Hart, Walton hopes to give opportunities to some of the other bench players that haven't received adequate playing time yet. "He's (Hart) done a nice job of figuring out what the NBA game is about."

"I think he's another one of those guys that's going to have a big offseason, now that he's gotten to experience guarding James Harden, guarding other teams' best players, elite scorers, and also figured out where he can get his shots," Walton added.

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Lakers vs Rockets live stream: Watch NBA online
Date:
Tuesday, April 10 (Wednesday in Australia)
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT (Local Time), 1:30 p.m. AEDT
TV Channel: TNT (USA), ESPN (Australia)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass (Global), WatchESPN (Australia), NBA On TNT (USA)