Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers look for their second consecutive win on Wednesday night as they continue their homestand against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. The Clippers (2-2) are in the midst of a four-game run at home and have split the first two games. The team was 23-18 at Staples Center last season.
Chauncey Billups, who has missed the last two games with a sore right groin, is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday, but said on Monday that he expects to play against the Rockets, per Arash Markazi of ESPN LA. Billups last played on December 28 at San Antonio, a full week ago.
The Rockets are playing at Staples Center for the second straight night, as they lost 108-99 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Center Andrew Bynum went off on the undersized Rockets for 21 points and 22 rebounds. Griffin could have a similar big night on Wednesday. Griffin had four double-doubles in four games against Houston last season, averaging 17.8 points and 13.3 boards in the process.
Chris Paul has had a fine first four games with the Clippers, averaging 15.5 points, 9.8 assists, and 2.50 steals per contest through four games this season. Paul is third in the NBA in assists, and the man who is first is Kyle Lowry of Houston, who is averaging 11.0 assists per game. Lowry narrowly missed a triple-double on Tuesday against the Lakers, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
The Clippers lost three of four games to the Rockets last season. Houston (2-3) is undefeated at home this season and winless on the road in the early going.
Wednesday night's 7:30 p.m. PST game will be televised by Fox Sports West and NBA TV. For more Clippers news and information, be sure to read Clips Nation.