Lakers don’t look bad for 60

Maybe the Lakers were still weary from a seven-game, 13-day journey.

Maybe they were still tired from a grueling season that appeared to take its toll during the just-completed trip in which they went 5-2.

Still, the Lakers had to press on against a bruising Houston Rockets team to reach their goal of winning 60 games.

And that they did, blowing by the Rockets, 93-81, Friday night at Staples Center.

In the process, the Lakers improved to 60-16.

But more importantly, by winning their second consecutive game, the Lakers have almost chased down Cleveland, pulling to within one game of the Cavaliers (61-15) for the best record in the NBA.

The Lakers were three games behind the Cavaliers after losing to the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

“I thought for a return game off a road trip it was OK,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “We shot the ball poorly [39.5%] tonight. We’ll have to do a better job.”

It took a heavy workload from Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant and a solid effort from Derek Fisher to make up for that shooting.

Gasol led the Lakers with 23 points and 10 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Bryant had an efficient 20 points on seven-for-11 shooting and seven assists in 39 minutes.

Fisher had 15 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes.

Ron Artest led the Rockets with 21 points and nine rebounds. Yao Ming had 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots.

It took two pushes by the Lakers to complete their season sweep of the Rockets.

The first came after the Rockets closed to within one point in the fourth. Gasol scored twice and Luke Walton once to give the Lakers a 75-68 lead.

Houston made another run, climbing to within 81-76 on a three-pointer by Shane Battier.

The Lakers then made their final push to send the Rockets away. Bryant settled matters, dropping in consecutive three-pointers that gave the Lakers an 87-76 lead.

“We called that a mud-wrestling contest out there tonight for a while,” Jackson said.

What helped was the infusion of energy from backup center DJ Mbenga.

It was more than Mbenga scoring eight points. It was his defense against Yao, his ability to push, shove and wrestle with the Rockets’ 7-6 center.

The Lakers were testy, arguing with the officials over non-calls, exchanging blows with the Rockets.

Bryant drew the first technical when no foul was called on his drive to the basket. He yelled at one official, but was given the technical by another, Joe Forte, for his outburst.

Fisher and Aaron Brooks threw elbows at each other down low and eventually they were given double technical fouls.

The Lakers won 60 games for the 11th time in franchise history -- the first since the 1999-2000 season, and their ninth since owner Jerry Buss purchased the team in 1979.

It was the eighth time a Jackson team has reached that milestone in 18 seasons as a head coach.

The Lakers have six regular-season games left, same as the Cavaliers.

The Lakers have tough games against Denver, at Portland and against Utah at home in the regular-season finale.

The Cavaliers have challenging games against San Antonio, Philadelphia twice and Boston.

“Well, we have to make an attempt for it,” Jackson said about getting the best record in the NBA. “I wouldn’t feel good about it, neither would these players, if we didn’t.

“We really don’t have to threaten our well-being by doing it, I don’t think. We have some opponents that I consider dangerous.”

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broderick.turner@latimes.com