5 things to watch on the NBA’s MLK Day slate
By Morgan Dunn
2. CP3’s return to the STAPLES Center
Sure, Chris Paul has already played at the STAPLES Center this season as a member of the Houston Rockets, but that game came against the Lakers and doesn’t really count. MLK Day will see the future Hall-of-Fame point guard return to the building he called home for six years to take on his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul’s breakup with the Clips in the offseason wasn’t the most amicable after CP3’s documentary was released, so there will probably be some tension here. This will actually be Paul’s first game against his former team, as he missed Houston’s clash with Los Angeles on Dec. 22 due to injury. The Clippers won that contest by 10 points despite a 51-point effort from James Harden.
It looks like the Rockets will be without Harden for this MLK Day clash due to a hamstring injury, which puts added offensive responsibility on Paul, something he surely welcomes. Paul and Harden have surprised a lot of doubters this season by playing well together, but CP3 now has the chance to put up an epic performance against his former teammates.
Houston is the better team when fully healthy, and Harden’ absence would normally level the playing field a bit. However, injuries have ravaged the Clippers this season, and with Blake Griffin suffering a concussion recently it’s unclear if he’ll be able to partake in CP3’s return to Los Angeles. This could put a bit of a damper on this matchup, but it will be interesting to see how the LA fans react to seeing Paul in a Rockets uniform regardless of who ends up suiting up.