Clippers face tough back-to-back tests

First, of course, the Clippers have a game tonight against Zach and Friends, as in former teammate, power forward Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies.

But coming up in quick succession is another tough and equally intriguing matchup, Chris Paul and the Hornets on Wednesday. The Clippers have struggled against New Orleans this season, losing both meetings.

Those games were eight days apart in November and represented a time of genuine struggle for the Clippers. Of late, it’s been a sea change for the Clippers, who have won four straight games, and also for their point guard, Baron Davis.

The Clippers’ Rasual Butler, who was acquired from the Hornets in the summer, was asked to compare the two wildly different point guards in his recent playing life, Davis and Paul.

“Baron is a big strong guard,” Butler said. “They always have to put a two guard or a three on him to guard him because he really destroys normal-sized point guards in this league in the post.

“Just a quick really explosive scorer.

“Chris Paul is more of a pass-first point guard. Maybe you’ll see games as of late he’s been having like 12 points and 18 assists. Baron will have 20 points and 12 assists, easy.”

Grand Kaman

The latest installation in the push to make the All-Star team . . . Chris Kaman’s efforts were recognized, in a larger sense, on Monday when he was named Western Conference player of the week.

(That other guy and perhaps future Clipper, known as LeBron James, was the Eastern Conference player of the week.)

Kaman is making this double-double thing look routine and came close to doing so in all three of the Clippers’ most-recent wins. He had 20 points and eight rebounds in the victory against Portland and followed up with 21 points and 14 rebounds versus the Lakers and finished with 22 and 14 on Sunday against the Heat.

Etc.

Rookie power forward Blake Griffin won’t be accompanying the Clippers on this quick two-game trip, to chilly Memphis and then New Orleans on Wednesday.

So much for that hopeful Yahoo report of a Griffin debut in the lineup on Jan. 20 against Chicago at Staples Center.

Injured backup point guard Sebastian Telfair (groin) is considered questionable for tonight’s game. Telfair’s absence has meant more minutes for Mardy Collins.

Collins was one for three in 12 minutes against the Heat. His lone scoring contribution, though, was a big three-point shot in the first half.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

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