(AP) — Two Western Conference powerhouses will be missing crucial players when they resume their NBA playoff series tonight.

Top seed Golden State will be without league-leading scorer and reigning MVP Stephen Curry when they try to close out Houston in Game 5.

The All-Star guard is recovering from a sprained ligament in his right knee suffered in the Warriors' Game 4 win. While his absence would seem to be a big blow, consider that Golden State outscored the Rockets 65-38 after Curry left the game.

The Clippers find themselves in more dire straits as they head into a Game 5 showdown at home against Portland. Los Angeles will be without guard Chris Paul, who had surgery yesterday for a fractured hand. Also missing is Blake Griffin, who's done for the season after aggravating his left quadriceps tendon in Game 4. The series is tied at two wins each.

Home court advantage has prevailed through four games of the Hornets-Heat series as it heads back to Miami tied at two games each. The Heat are 14-2 in their last 16 home games with one of the losses coming against Charlotte.

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