Ross Likely to Miss Next Two Games

A balky lower back is expected to keep Quinton Ross sidelined through the Clippers’ last two games before the All-Star break, tonight against the Houston Rockets and Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors.

Ross, the Clippers’ top defender and a starting forward while Corey Maggette is on the mend, has experienced recurring pain in his back and sat out all but seven minutes of Sunday’s 97-91 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

“It’s kind of the ongoing problem we’ve had with him,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said Monday. “His back flares up, so last night when I went to put him back into the game his legs had numbness and we had to shelve him.”

Said Ross, who had planned to return home to Dallas during the All-Star break but instead could be ticketed for rehabilitation in Los Angeles: “It’s frustrating because I want to be out there helping the team.

“But it’s something I’ve got to deal with and get it taken care of. I’ll just try to rest it during the time off and see how it feels after the All-Star break.”

Shaun Livingston, James Singleton or Daniel Ewing probably would replace Ross in the starting lineup, Dunleavy said, depending on matchups.

But Ross will be missed, especially tonight against the Rockets.

“This is a tough matchup for us, particularly without Q on [Tracy] McGrady,” Dunleavy said. “Not that anybody stops McGrady, but he did a good job of trying to make him work for his points the last time we played them.”

McGrady, an All-Star forward averaging a team-high 25.5 points a game for the Rockets, scored 29 points but missed 16 of 28 shots and had four turnovers Dec. 17 in an 89-81 Clipper victory at Staples Center.

TONIGHT

vs. Houston, 7:30, FSN West 2

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 30-19, Rockets 21-30.

Record vs. Rockets -- 1-0.

Update -- The Rockets, last in the Southwest Division and 19 1/2 games behind the division-leading San Antonio Spurs before Monday night’s games, rank among the NBA’s most disappointing teams. But they have won six of their last seven games after Sunday’s 99-83 victory over the New York Knicks and still hope to work themselves back into the Western Conference playoff picture.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or clippers.com.