Rockets at Clippers
THE STORY: After playing the Los Angeles Lakers tough on Tuesday night before falling 108-99, the Houston Rockets return to Staples Center on Wednesday to face the Los Angeles Clippers, who are coming off a 93-88 victory over Portland. Houston’s Kyle Lowry almost had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against the Lakers. Ultimately, the Rockets had no answer for Kobe Bryant (37 points) or Andrew Bynum (21 points, 22 rebounds). Rockets forward Courtney Lee had to be helped off the court with 10:40 to play with pain in his right leg. Lee said he suffered a strained calf; it was not immediately known if he'll play Wednesday night. While the Rockets have lost 10 of 12 to the Lakers, they have won 80 percent of their games against the Clippers in the past nine years. Houston still seeks its first road win, starting 0-3.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Rockets), FS Prime Ticket (Clippers)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (2-3): The Rockets stopped the bigger Lakers from going inside, but were still badly outrebounded 53-38. The Lakers also made 21 of 27 free throws. Luis Scola had 20 points but went scoreless in the fourth quarter, as coach Kevin McHale moved Scola to center and played 6-6 Terrence Williams at power forward. The move seemed to throw the Lakers off their rhythm, but the Rockets simply couldn't contain Bryant. The Rockets also need better production Wednesday from Kevin Martin, who missed seven of eight 3-pointers and was 5 of 17 overall.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (2-2): Los Angeles signed forward/center Solomon Jones to a non-guaranteed one-year contract. Jones should help spell Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Jones played in 39 games last season for Indiana. Chauncey Billups (groin strain) will play tonight after missing two games. “I was so excited to practice (Tuesday). Everything that we did live, I did it,” Billups said. “So, I’m playing.” Mo Williams, who came off the bench after starting against the Chicago Bulls, had a season-high eight assists.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Since March 12, 2003, the Rockets are 25-6 against the Clippers.
2. Jordan leads the NBA in blocks (3.8) and has a streak of 18 games with at least one block.
3. Chris Paul has a double-double in 10 of his last 15 games against Houston.