Austin Rivers expects 'fireworks' when Clippers play Rockets next season

Remind yourself to mark down when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Houston Rockets on your calendar once next season's NBA schedule is released, especially now that Chris Paul has switched sides.

"That will be an interesting game," Clippers guard Austin Rivers told TMZ Sports. "For sure there will be a lot of emotion in that game. That's the beauty about sports, man. Business and basketball are two different things. They say don't take it personal, but everybody does.

"You saw what happened when the (Golden State) Warriors played the (Oklahoma City) Thunder this year. There was a lot of emotion in there. I don't think it will be quite like that, but there will definitely be a lot of fireworks that game, if I had to take a guess."

There's always a big-game feel whenever a former All-Star leaves town and returns as a member of the opposition, which Rivers was alluding to when bringing up Warriors-Thunder and the deafening reaction the four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant received at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Paul donned a Clippers uniform for six seasons, leading his teammates to a playoff berth every single year. All of the goodwill he earned during his tenure won't amount to much when he's back at Staples Center, though, as it's safe to assume the reception he'll receive from Clippers faithful won't be entirely positive.