After wiping out the lowly Wizards in game one of six on their annual Grammy road trip, the Clippers (14-7) sounded like a team that’s reaping the benefits of the synergy they’ve talked about over the last few weeks. It was their third consecutive road win and most lopsided victory away from home in eight years.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Paul Billups Butler Griffin Jordan PG SG SF PF C Duhon Richardson Turkoglu Anderson Howard PG SG SF PF C

Griffin, who totaled 21 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals, said the team’s chemistry getting “better and better” and Billups suggested the Clippers have “potential to win it all.”

“I’m really excited for us,” Paul added. “We are playing really good basketball and tonight was a really good win for us, especially with the long road trip ahead. Defensively, we did great and our guys hit some really tough shots. We genuinely love playing with each other and we show that in the way we play.”

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Of course, these Clippers have thrived when presented with a chance to erase history. In Utah, Paul asked legendary broadcaster Ralph Lawler to let him know whenever the team came to a city where the team had a lengthy stretch of losses. That way, he could be a part of ending it.

As for the Magic, despite their three-game winning streak, which includes an 85-81 victory at Indiana on Saturday night, the Magic have seemed on the brink of disaster. Since a 56-point performance at Boston on Jan. 23, Orlando has endured an amplified number of trade rumors regarding superstar center Dwight Howard, a 26-point loss to the Hornets, and uneasy victories at home against Washington and Cleveland.

Backup forward/center Glen Davis is expected to return to the lineup following a two-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

The one constant is Howard. The NBA’s leader in All-Star votes is averaging 20.4 points, a league-high 15.1 rebounds, and 2.21 blocks (fifth in the league). He’s also shooting 55.3% from the field (fourth) even showing a willingness to attempt more from outside the paint. According to Hoopdata.com, he’s taken 5.2 shots from 3 to 9 feet. His previous career high was 4.6 in 2009.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR (GRAMMY SPECIAL)

Here is a look at three things to watch, inspired by some “Song of the Year” nominees.

1. 3-POINT SPECIALISTS (Minimum 45 attempts) Clippers Chris Paul, 45.8% Mo Williams, 44.8% Randy Foye, 38.1% Chauncey Billups, 37.4% Caron Butler, 36.4% Magic J.J. Redick, 43.0% Ryan Anderson, 42.9% Chris Duhon, 42.2% Hedo Turkoglu, 40.4% Jason Richardson, 34.2%

   1. All of the Lights – Kanye West. As the Clippers continue their six-game trip, it is perfect timing to effectively have their roster fully intact. They’ve only played three games with each member of the roster “healthy.” Next comes integrating power forward Kenyon Martin into the mix. Martin joined the team Sunday after agreeing to a one-year contract two days earlier. Del Negro has said that Martin’s debut will be determined after finding out where the former No. 1 overall pick is with his conditioning. In the meantime, expect Solomon Jones and Reggie Evans to continue backing up Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
2. 2. The Cave – Mumford & Sons. While the Magic have certainly struggled with their consistency at times this year, there’s no question they remain dangerous offensively. Howard draws a crowd, which spaces the floor for jump shooters. With stretch forward Ryan Anderson’s emergence, the Magic operate with four capable 3-point shooters on the floor to start.

   To some degree, the offense works somewhat like a cave system—with Howard the primary opening in which the other (smaller) spaces work through. While no team has a center like Howard, Jordan is at least capable of offering some resistance. In 63 minutes against the Clippers last season, Howard played 42 with Jordan on the court and scored 21.4 points, slightly less than his season average of 21.9. In 21 minutes with Jordan on the bench, however, Howard averaged 32.6 points.

3. 3. Rolling in the Deep – Adele. Although it was mentioned earlier, one of the most prolific facets of Monday’s game will be both teams’ propensity to take and make shots from deep. While the shots are generated from completely different styles of offense (over simplified: the Clippers create more of their opportunities in transition, while Orlando is deft at the inside-out game), they combine to attempt 46.1 3-pointers per game. The Magic are shooting 38.6% from distance, fourth in the NBA. The Clippers are at 36.5% (10th).

NOTES

Jordan, who leads the league in rejections (3.0 per game), has blocked five or more shots five times this season, most in the NBA. The Clippers are 4-1 in such games… Since the Magic entered the league in 1989, the Clippers have won only six games in Orlando… It’s a homecoming of sorts for backup big men Reggie Evans and Solomon Jones. Evans is from Pensacola, FL and Jones grew up in Eustis, a small town 37 miles from downtown Orlando… A win Monday would mark the second best start through 22 games in franchise history. The Buffalo Braves started 16-6 in 1974-75.