THE WEEK AHEAD: 2 GAMES

Friday at Phoenix Suns, 6 p.m. PST -- The Clippers’ five-day holiday layoff ends with their second game in a week against the Suns. The Clippers won twice last season at America West Arena.

Saturday vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 5 -- Forward Lamar Odom is scheduled to return to the court after an 11-month absence. He has had injuries to his right wrist and ankle. Odom was the Clippers’ leading scorer in 2000-01, averaging 17.2 points but averaged only 13.1 points in 29 games last season.

-- Elliott Teaford