This week’s top NBA game

HOUSTON AT CLIPPERS, 7:30 p.m. Monday. TV: Prime Ticket.

Lakers fans may be tempted to buy tickets for this game just to boo Dwight Howard, who called Staples Center home for one maddening season before heading to Houston. The center has been everything the Rockets envisioned in his first two games, averaging 15 points and a league-leading 21 rebounds. His presence should provide plenty of motivation for Clippers counterpart DeAndre Jordan, who is attempting to steal the designation of being the NBA’s top defensive player. Houston point guard Jeremy Lin is back in the starting lineup after his replacement, Patrick Beverly, injured his ribs and is expected to be sidelined for about two weeks.

-- Ben Bolch