A strained hamstring will once again sideline Chris Paul when the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series Wednesday night.
The news should come as no surprise, as head coach Doc Rivers admitted earlier in the day that he doubted Paul would be available.
The Clippers' surprising, Paul-less Game 1 victory in Houston gave the team some leeway when it came to the decision to sit their starting point guard Wednesday. No matter Game 2's outcome, the Clips will head back to L.A. with home-court advantage in a best-of-five series, at worst.
Game 3 tips Friday night at Staples Center.
Austin Rivers drew the start for Paul in Game 1 and will likely have his number called again in Game 2. All-Star power forward Blake Griffin's playmaking ability and the Rockets' lack of a true point guard threat should allow the Clippers to survive with Rivers at the point of attack.
Paul, who suited up for all 82 regular-season games and the first seven games of the playoffs before suffering the injury in the team's Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, averaged 22.7 points, 7.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and two steals during the first round.
The Clippers performed nearly 21 points per 100 possessions better with Paul on the court during the regular season, with Paul's on/off net rating of plus-20.9 leading the league.
