Rockets at Clippers
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets were among the busiest teams at the trade deadline, making a pair of deals to fortify their frontline and add depth to their backcourt. One of those additions, center Marcus Camby, will make his debut with the team when the Rockets visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. The Clippers also filled a need, acquiring shooting guard Nick Young from Washington.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, KTXH, FSSD
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (24-20): Camby, a four-time All-Defensive Team selection, provides a needed presence inside. Although not much of an offensive threat, he was averaging 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks with the Portland Trail Blazers. Houston's other acquisition, veteran point guard Derek Fisher, has not reported and may be a buyout candidate. Shooting guard Kevin Martin has missed the last two games and backup Courtney Lee is hurting with a torn tendon and dislocation of his left middle finger.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (24-18): Los Angeles has dropped three of four on its six-game homestand, including an ugly 91-87 defeat to Phoenix on Wednesday in which the Clippers were outscored 27-12 in the fourth quarter. The players met for more than an hour following the loss, which came against a Suns team playing without Steve Nash and Grant Hill. Blake Griffin scored 25 points for the Clippers, who were just 6 of 13 from the free-throw line and rank next-to-last in the league at 69.0 percent.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Young, who was averaging 16.6 points with Washington, is not expected to be in the Clippers lineup until Tuesday.
2. Since moving into the starting lineup for Kyle Lowry (bacterial infection), point guard Goran Dragic has averaged 17.3 points and 8.3 assists in four games.
3. Los Angeles has won both meetings this season.