In the finale of a six-game road trip, the Los Angeles Clippers (15-5) will rest one of their starters, but the remainder of the first string is expected to play Friday vs. New Orleans (7-12). Prior to tip-off, Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said shooting guard J.J. Redick will be given the night off for rest, something Los Angeles did Tuesday at Brooklyn when it sat power forward Blake Griffin. The Western Conference's current third-place team record-wise has benefited from remarkable consistency in its lineups thus far, with Redick, point guard Chris Paul, center DeAndre Jordan and small forward Luc Mbah a Moute starting all 20 games. Tuesday's double-overtime defeat against the Nets at Barclays Center was Griffin's only DNP of 2016-17.
Conversely, New Orleans has used eight different starting lineups over its 19 games. The Pelicans moved Jrue Holiday into the first unit for the first time in Tuesday's 105-88 win over the Lakers, but also were forced to realign when Dante Cunningham sustained a broken right leg Nov. 23 vs. Minnesota. In the three games since, Solomon Hill has started at small forward.
Anthony Davis (18 times) and Tim Frazier (19 times) are the only New Orleans players who've started in every game they've played this season.
Other notes from pregame at the Smoothie King Center:
Alvin Gentry on facing the Clippers on their quick turnaround after their Thursday game in Cleveland: “I don't think it matters, because I think they're going to play with pace regardless. They're a very, very good offensive team.” …
Prior to learning that Redick would be a DNP tonight, Gentry said the guard often helps Los Angeles get off to fast starts, as a dangerous first-quarter option: “(The Clippers) have a player who gets them off to a good start night in and night out in J.J. Redick. If you look at first-quarter scoring, he's always in the top five.”
