The defending champions start up a back-to-back in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 22 when the Boston Celtics visit the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Boston will need to be vigilant that old habits vs. banged-up and lesser ball clubs don't make a winnable game into a struggle -- or worse, a loss.

Amid a grueling stretch of four games in five days, the Clippers chose to sit nearly all of their regulars for the Wednesday matchup with Boston at the Intuit Dome. LA ruled out the following seven players: James Harden (right groin soreness) Kawhi Leonard (right knee injury management) Norman Powell (back soreness) Ivica Zubac (left eye corneal abrasion) Kris Dunn (left knee soreness) Nicolas Batum (right finger soreness) P.