Doc Rivers wants DeAndre Jordan to play his game against Dwight Howard

Doc Rivers doesn’t want DeAndre Jordan to learn from Dwight Howard.

At least not Monday night when the Clippers play the Houston Rockets.

“They’re different and similar too in many ways with their athleticism,” Rivers said before tipoff. “I just want DJ to be DJ, and i don’t want him thinking about what the other guy is doing much at all.”

Howard is a three-time defensive player of the year, and Jordan has often said he is aspiring to win that award.

Rivers, however, said he didn’t mention anything in particular for his center to try to take away from the Rockets’ big guy.

In fact, he said he hardly spoke of Howard at all.

“I didn’t mention it once today other than ‘DeAndre, you have Dwight,’ ” Rivers said.

ALSO:

Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan try to get going on line

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers says he likes Blake Griffin’s approach

Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan to face friend Dwight Howard of the Rockets