The Pacific Division-leading Clippers (16-8), loaded with two starting All-Stars, a rotation that runs nine deep even without veteran Chauncey Billups, and players among the league leaders in nearly every major statistical category, face the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday at Time Warner Cable Arena.

To say the season has been a nightmare for Charlotte (3-23), would be a bit like recognizing their legendary owner, Michael Jordan, as a fairly average right fielder. The Bobcats are mired in a 13-game losing streak, haven’t won since Jan. 14, and Friday’s 95-64 home loss to the Bulls was their fourth defeat by 30 points or more in their last 10 games.

They’ll also be missing their starting backcourt. D.J. Augustin, arguably the team’s best player, is out with a small fracture in his right big toe and Gerald Henderson is expected to miss a couple more weeks with a strained right hamstring.

Paul Foye Butler Griffin Jordan PG SG SF PF C Walker Williams Thomas Diaw Biyombo PG SG SF PF C

After their gutty 78-77 win at Philadelphia, the Clippers have won seven of their last 10, and five of their last six on the road. And as they touch down in Charlotte, the expectation is that they will easily extend the positive momentum.

Here are four things to watch for on Saturday, inspired by the “Best Rock Album” and “Best Rap Album” nominees at this year’s Grammys.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. 1. Watch the Throne – Jay Z & Kanye West. The Clippers are off to one of their best starts in franchise history and can guarantee at least a 4-2 road trip with a win on Saturday. Because of the talent disparity, it’s really a matter of protecting the mantle. On Friday, the Bulls rested reigning MVP Derrick Rose and still won by 31 points. While head coach Vinny Del Negro has preached focus and sticking to the process for much of the season, oddly enough these are the kind of games where those mantras are tested the most.
2. 2. Lasers – Lupe Fiasco. Rookie Kemba Walker is a laser on the court. He recorded his only career triple-double in Charlotte’s 3-point loss to the Wizards on Jan. 28. The Bobcats are at their best when they convert easy baskets in transition and this is fueled by Walker. The problem is they don’t have the horses to run with their youngster, particularly with Augustin sidelined. Clearly, Walker will have his hands full with Chris Paul, coming off a incomparable game-winning shot over Andre Iguodala with 3.2 seconds to go on Friday. Paul averaged 20 points and 7.6 assists in five career games against the Bobcats while with the New Orleans Hornets.
3. 3. Come Around Sundown – Kings of Leon. Besides Paul’s big shot, the Clippers put the Sixers away using an unlikely frontcourt combination of Blake Griffin, Reggie Evans, and Kenyon Martin. After the game, Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said, “Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin and that veteran group changed the game for them, getting to loose balls, getting to the 50-50 balls, getting tips on the ball, getting offensive rebounds. They were all hustle and effort points, and that really put us behind the eight ball.”

   Moving forward it will be worth watching to see if Del Negro employs that same group for any lengthy period. A bigger Clippers lineup could be feasible against Charlotte’s starting frontcourt rookie center Bismack Biyomobo, Tyrus Thomas, and Boris Diaw.

   Another factor will be how Del Negro fits DeAndre Jordan into that mix. Since dominating the Wizards with an 18-point, 11-rebound, 3-block performance, Jordan has combined for just 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks over the last three games. Saddled with four fouls, he gave way to Martin and Evans in the fourth quarter Friday.

   NOTES

   The Clippers are 7-2 against the Eastern Conference this season with the only two losses coming Dec. 30 against the Bulls and Wednesday at Cleveland…. The Bobcats are on pace to finish with the second worst win percentage (.115) in NBA history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau… Former Clipper Corey Maggette, who missed 19 games prior to Friday with a strained left hamstring, is expected to play… Paul is from nearby Winston-Salem, North Carolina.