Carmelo Anthony will make his first start for the Houston Rockets on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Houston is down two starters with James Harden and James Ennis nursing hamstring strains, giving Anthony a spot after he came off the bench -- for the first time in his 17-year career -- in the first four games of the season.
Harden, the reigning MVP, is also expected to miss Tuesday's game in Portland with a Grade 1-plus left hamstring strain. He was injured in the team's Wednesday night loss to Utah.