NBA Schedule 2017-18: 5 games with the most revenge potential

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 93-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 15: DeAndre Jordan #6, Blake Griffin #32 and Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers are seen during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 15, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jan. 15: Houston Rockets @ L.A. Clippers

The first big surprise of the offseason was not the Indiana Pacers trading Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder or Gordon Hayward returning to face the Utah Jazz with the Boston Celtics. It was instead Chris Paul’s surprising decision to request a trade from the L.A. Clippers and getting delivered straight to the Houston Rockets.

Unlike many of the other deals this offseason, this trade left stars on both sides looking to prove themselves and that could lead to a combustible season series. And this was already a rivalry between Western Conference contenders.

There were a lot of reasons for Chris Paul’s decision to leave. The L.A. Clippers in six years never got out of the second round, famously blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Houston Rockets in 2015. The Clippers have not won a playoff series since then. Injuries were partly to blame — the last two years injuries to Blake Griffin in the playoffs derailed the Clippers’ hopes of winning their series.

But there was always some tension bubbling beneath the surface. There were plenty of reports that Paul and Griffin did not get along. Their Lob City marriage was made for NBA2K but may not have worked well in the real world. Paul is more serious and demanding of his teammates — perhaps too demanding to some — while Griffin is more laid back.

The first time Paul has to go back to Los Angeles to face the Clippers is going to be combustible on both sides. Paul is certainly going to want to prove his worth — he has always stepped his game up when it matters. Griffin is going to want to show that he can thrive without Paul and upset the heavily favored Rockets.

And, oh yeah, DeAndre Jordan is still there to protect the rim. He surely will also want to let Paul know what he thinks about his point guard leaving the team.

Not to mention Patrick Beverley, whom the Rockets traded to the Clippers as part of the Paul deal, is not someone who takes slights lightly. He too could be in for a big game and he is always up for the defensive challenge.

Circle this game on your calendar.

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