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Rockets-Clippers Preview

Dec 1, 2009 - 6:01 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Houston (9-8) at Los Angeles (8-10), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Coming off a 20-point comeback victory, the Los Angeles Clippers are looking for their first four-game home winning streak in three seasons.

Based on their recent history against the Houston Rockets, that goal could be tough to achieve.

Los Angeles tries to win its third straight overall Wednesday night when it hosts a Rockets team that will likely be without starting power forward Luis Scola.

Despite trailing by 20 in the final two minutes of the third quarter Sunday, the Clippers (8-10) rallied for their fourth win in five games, 98-88 over Memphis.

Al Thornton scored seven of his 18 points in the last 2:26 and teammate Eric Gordon had 10 of his team-high 29 in the fourth. The Clippers scored the game's final 22 points.

"I'm very proud of the guys," Mike Dunleavy said after becoming the 21st coach in league history to win 600 regular-season games. "Our guys stayed with it and never gave up. All of a sudden, we came together and Eric Gordon got into that attack mode. We did the things we needed to do."

Los Angeles looks to win four straight at home for the first time since Feb. 24-March 3, 2007. The Clippers, though, have lost 10 of 12 to the Rockets at Los Angeles since Nov. 24, 2002.

In the last meeting at Staples Center, the Clippers snapped a six-game home skid to the Rockets and seven-game overall slide in the series with a 95-82 victory Dec. 13.

Houston (9-8) continues its four-game trip following a 100-91 win over Oklahoma City on Sunday. The Rockets outscored the Thunder 55-37 in the second half and overcame the loss of Scola, who was poked in the right eye 22 seconds into the game. He did not return after receiving seven stitches on his eyelid.

"At first I didn't think it was that bad. I'd seen some blood and I'd seen a cut, but you never know how bad it was," said guard Aaron Brooks, who had 18 of his 21 points following halftime. "To come in here and he looks like Captain Hook, you kind of feel bad for him. So, I hope he gets back, and we had to pull it out for him."

With Scola expected to miss Wednesday's game, Carl Landry will likely get his first start of the season.

Landry posted his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds Sunday, and averaged 19.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in his last five games.

"Carl has shown the skills necessary to be a good low-post player," Rockets assistant coach Jack Sikma told the team's official Web site. "He's got good footwork and he's got good trunk strength to hold his position. His first step is strong."

Clippers center Chris Kaman had eight points against the Thunder, snapping his string of consecutive double-digit scoring games at 19. Kaman averaged 19.5 points and 8.0 boards in two games versus Houston last season, missing two of the matchups with the Rockets due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

The Rockets have won 20 of 24 versus the Clippers.