It's Lob City vs. the James Harden and Jeremy Lin Show tonight in Houston.
Two of the hottest duos in the NBA today will clash tonight during a showdown in Houston when the sensational backcourt of Lin and Harden take the court as the Houston Rockets (21-17) look to end a three-game losing streak when they clash with the dynamic Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the L.A. Clippers (29-9).
The Rockets have been looking out of sorts lately, with a 5-5 win-loss record in the last 10 games, and losing three in a row, the last one a 107-100 loss to the 76ers on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have won seven of their last 10 games, and came off an impressive 99-73 thrashing of the defensively tough Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. But they did it without Chris Paul, who was sitting out the game due to a knee injury and is questionable for tonight.
However, Lin, who sprained his ankle on Monday, is also day-to-day, leaving several questions for Tuesday's matchup up between two of the highest-scoring, most exciting teams in the NBA.
Latinos Post breaks down the match-ups:
Power forward: Blake Griffin, Clippers vs. Marcus Morris, Rockets
Morris has held steady at the Rockets' four-spot, making key contributions in both rebounding and points, with 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in the last 10 games. But, as has been the case in most of these match-ups lately, Morris will be tested on defense tonight.
Containing Griffin, 23, will be a stiff challenge. The athletic, lightning-quick, high-flying power forward has been playing great basketball in January, averaging 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds. A 50.5 percent shooter in the last seven games, Griffin can be deadly if given even the slightest wiggle room. Morris has to get up in Griffin's face if the Rockets have any chance of beating the Clippers.
Advantage: Clippers
Small forward: Caron Butler, Clippers vs. Chandler Parsons, Rockets
While the 6'7" Butler's on the decline, he adds veteran presence and valuable contributions on offense, especially in the last 10 games where he has averaged 11.9 points.
The 24-year-old Parsons, on the other hand, has been looking like he's working back to form, scoring 18- and 23-point games back to back last week after experiencing a shooting slump. He's younger, taller at 6'9" and a bigger offensive threat. The name of the game for Parsons is to hit the mark. If he does make his shots, the Clippers will have some problems on their hands.
Advantage: Rockets
Center: DeAndre Jordan, Clippers vs. Omer Asik, Rockets
Jordan, a four-year veteran, has been having his best season yet, averaging 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds this season. Strong and tall at 6'11" and 265 pounds, he provides a steady presence in the middle for the Clippers.
Asik, who was seeing his scoring numbers drop in the last five games, rebounded with a 16-point, 10-rebound effort against Philadelphia on Saturday. These two will be battling down low most of the night, but Asik's main defensive duty will be to make sure Griffin and Paul don't get a free pass in the lane. The Rockets will need Asik's rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities to be at their finest tonight if they want to ground "Lob City."
Advantage: Rockets
Shooting Guard: Willie Green, Clippers vs. James Harden, Rockets
While slumping in the shooting column the last few games, Green has been finding the mark in the last two games, shooting at 50 percent or above.
But the veteran is going to have to find a way to contain Harden, who continues to pummel defenses around the league. Averaging 28.3 points in the last five games, Harden has been on a tear. However, as the Boston game showed, Harden can be contained with the right effort (if you can call scoring 24 points contained). The Clippers will need a strong group effort on the perimeter and in the lane to prevent Harden from taking over the game.
Advantage: Rockets
Point Guard: Chris Paul, Clippers vs. Jeremy Lin, Rockets
This should be a great match-up to watch...if it happens.
Lin and Paul have been dueling since the opening of the All-Star starting lineup fan balloting, Lin trailing Paul by just over 46,000 votes.
However, Paul, who sat out Monday's game against the Grizzlies with a bruised right knee, could possibly sit out tonight's game. If that happens, he will be replaced by Eric Bledsoe, who had a decent night against Memphis with 14 points on 44 percent shooting and four assists.
Lin, who sprained his ankle on Tuesday, is day-to-day, and will be a game time decision. If he does play, it will be interesting to see whether Lin will play tentatively due to his ankle, or if he will rise to the challenge of playing one of the NBA's hottest teams, and possibly, their superstar point guard.
Advantage: ???
Bench: Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf, Jamal Crawford, Clippers vs. Calos Delfino, Patrick Patterson Toney Douglas
If Paul sits and Bledsoe starts, the Clippers will be playing at a depleted level, but with
Odom's and Turiaf's defensive capabilities and Crawford's offensive pop off the bench, the Clippers should be in good shape.
Delfino continues to be dangerous from the three-point line, providing Houston a big spark off the bench. Patterson has been improving as of late and Douglas can provide either a capable backup for Lin or a solid replacement if Lin can't play or plays limited minutes tonight.
Advantage: Clippers
Game time starts at 8 p.m. EST. Live score is available via TV Companion, here.
Live Streaming for the Game is can be seen via ESPN. (Service Provider Required)
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