Lakers get preferred starting lineup back in Christmas clash with Rockets

LOS ANGELES — For the first time in a couple of weeks, the Lakers started their preferred first unit in Thursday’s Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets. With Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura back in the lineup after being sidelined because of a lower left leg contusion and right groin injury management, respectively, the Lakers were as close to fully healthy as they’ve been since the Dec. 10 NBA Cup quarterfinal home loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Doncic and Hachimura started alongside Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. Reaves moved back into the first unit after coming off the bench in his return from a minor calf injury...