The Los Angeles Clippers have won four of five since hitting the road for a seven-game road tour, but the opponents haven't exactly been challenging. Doc Rivers' team has found a rhythm, for sure, winning all of those games against Eastern Conference opponents while slipping up against the West's best Memphis Grizzlies.
NBA schedule: Clippers, Rockets clash in Western Conference showdown
The Friday night schedule includes two huge Western Conference showdowns and one meeting of the league’s best offenses.
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the Clippers find themselves facing another Western Conference powerhouse in the Houston Rockets. Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley are banged up, but the Rockets continue to play behind a defense allowing a league-leading 94.5 points per 100 possessions. And even without their two starters, the Rockets have found significant contributions from point guard Isaiah Canaan and big man Tarik Black.
Meanwhile, the Clippers bring a top-5 offense into the Toyota Center. Chris Paul has been doing his usual manufacturing of the offense, but he’s also shooting above 60 percent himself on Los Angeles’ road trip and has eclipsed the 20-point threshold in each of the last four games. In any case, it’ll be on Paul to put the Clippers in position to steal a big road win.
Here’s what else is on an exciting Friday night slate.
The main course
Clippers vs. Rockets, 8 p.m. ET
The matchup forward Blake Griffin could see against the Rockets leaves room for a number of questions. The first one: Who guards him? Donatas Motiejunas has been getting the start at power forward, and while Joey Dorsey and Black could be alternative defenders on Griffin, how Houston goes about stopping the athletic power forward will be most interesting.
TV: NBATV
More on these teams: Clips Nation | The Dream Shake
The appetizer
The NBA's two most efficient offenses clash in Toronto with some new faces having a lot to do with the offensive success. Lou Williams has given an even more cohesive Raptors team a boost from last season, while Chandler Parsons and the other additions in Dallas have helped in terms of pouring on the points this year. Maybe defense won't be the top priority, but this should be a clean, fun game.
TV: FSSW
More on these teams: Mavs Moneyball | Raptors HQ
The dessert
Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET
Two of the top three teams in the current Western Conference standings clash with nothing but winning on their minds. Memphis has won seven of its last eight, while Portland has quietly extended a league-leading winning streak to nine games. Can the Grizzlies disrupt the Blazers’ offense and get the game into an uncomfortable tempo that they like?
TV: CSNNW
More on these teams: Grizzly Bear Blues | Blazer’s Edge
The leftovers (all times ET)
Timberwolves vs. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
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