Clippers resume road trip in Orlando

Basketball Betting Lines

02/06/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A possible trade destination for Dwight Howard is Los Angeles with the revamped Clippers. For now, however, Howard is still property of the Orlando Magic, who will open a three-game homestand tonight versus the Clippers at Amway Center.

Howard, the subject of trade rumors during this compressed season, and the Magic will also host the Southeast Division-rival Heat and Hawks on the homestand and are slated to play six of the next seven games in central Florida. Orlando is 8-4 as the host and is coming off of Saturday's 85-81 win in Indiana behind Howard's 27 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson had 17 and 12 points, respectively, for the Magic, who are unbeaten (3-0) since losing four straight.

"Both teams played really, really hard. When you have these kinds of schedules in the league you're going to have some games like that," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It was our ninth game in 13 days and their ninth in 14. Basically nobody could make a shot and there were 41 turnovers in the game."

The Magic played without Jameer Nelson for the fifth straight game. He is listed day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms and hasn't played since a loss at New Orleans on Jan. 27. Orlando forward Glen Davis is eligible to return from a two-game suspension Monday because of conduct detrimental to the team.

Magic forward Quentin Richardson was ejected from Saturday's game following an altercation in the third quarter. Richardson, who had eight points in less than 14 minutes, came face-to-face with, and then shoved Pacers forward Danny Granger in front of the Orlando bench during a stoppage in play.

Orlando made 9-of-25 three-pointers against the Pacers and is shooting .386 (226-586) from beyond the arc this season.

Los Angeles will continue its 11-day, six-game road trip tonight and opened the trek with Saturday's 107-81 blasting of the Washington Wizards.

Blake Griffin recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while DeAndre Jordan added 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Clippers, who are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers for the Pacific Division lead and won for the fifth time in six games. Chris Paul had two points and seven assists, and has been clicking with Griffin and the rest of the Clippers.

"It's getting better and better," Griffin said of his chemistry with Paul. "No one ever comes in an just clicks like that right away. We knew it was going to take time. We weathered the storm, so to speak. I think now we're starting to pick it up a little bit."

Mo Williams had 17 points and eight assists, Caron Butler scored 14 and Chauncey Billups added 12 points in a winning effort. Butler was facing his former Wizards teams since he was traded to Dallas in 2010. Los Angeles will also visit the Cavs, Sixers, Bobcats and Mavs on the trek and is 4-4 on the road as opposed to a 10-3 home ledger.

The Clippers are 5-1 against the East this season and could unveil new addition Kenyon Martin tonight. Martin was signed on Friday and played for the Xinjiang Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout. He was contractually obligated to wait until the end of the Tigers' season before returning to the NBA. Martin was cleared to play by FIBA, basketball's international governing body, on Thursday and averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 games last season with the Denver Nuggets.

"Kenyon is the ultimate competitor and a key acquisition," stated club vice president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. "We expect that he will provide additional experience, passion and professionalism, as well as some important depth to our front court."

Los Angeles lost both meetings with Orlando a season ago and is winless in the last nine matchups between the two teams. The Clippers have lost five straight at Orlando. Howard is averaging 18.4 points and 13.1 rebounds in 14 career games against the Clippers. Paul has faced the Magic eight times in his career, posting 18.0 points and 8.5 assists in that time.