Paul, Gordon questionable

Since their Jan. 20 win over the Warriors, the Rockets had spoken often about making a run into the All-Star break, building momentum for the 25 games that will remain.

With another run of injuries, the Rockets don’t know how many of their regulars will take the floor, much less how much momentum they will build. But they hope to have Chris Paul (sore right groin muscle) and

Eric Gordon (stiff back) back soon enough. Both are listed as questionable to play at San Antonio on Thursday, the first game in a road trip that will also take the Rockets to Cleveland, Brooklyn and Miami, the final two games a back-to-back.

Forward Trevor Ariza is not sure how long his strained hamstring will keep him out, but coach

Mike D’Antoni said he did not expect Ariza to play on the road trip.

“Chris, Eric and Trevor — two starters right there, and obviously, Eric is a big key to what we’re trying to do as well,” guard James

Harden said. “Hopefully, we can get the guys back and get a rhythm going before the break. We just have to finish up strong.”

Paul took part in the Rockets’ brief workout Wednesday. Gordon, who played 10 minutes before he was pulled from Tuesday’s game, did not.

“We’re hoping for the best with healthy bodies,” D’Antoni said. “We have to get some guys back to have a successful road trip. We can win every game. Every road trip, we should win every game. If we get the necessary energy levels up and the right players, we expect to win them all.”

The Rockets will begin the road trip three games behind the Warriors, two in the loss column, for the best record in the NBA. The Rockets are far from alone with their injury issues, with the Spurs’

Kawhi Leonard and Cavaliers Kevin Love out.

“We have injuries; other teams have injuries,” Rockets forward

P.J. Tucker said. “There will be a lot of mixing and matching going on, but I’m confident in our team. We’re fighters. We’re going to keep on doing it until other guys get back.

“Every single night, before we run out, we think we’re going to win the game. We’re playing to win the game. No matter who’s out, we’re trying to win every night.”

Harden-Paul duo lauded by Pop

If there were doubts about James Harden and Chris Paul’s meshing in the backcourt, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich did not share them with those who questioned the Rockets’ trade for Paul.

“Well, they were wrong, whoever those guys are,” Popovich said. “Those are two of the best players in the league. You’re not going to find a better leader and tougher competitor than Chris Paul. And nobody can guard James Harden.”

The Rockets don’t know if San Antonio will see both Harden and Paul on Thursday, with Paul listed as questionable. But the Spurs hoped Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets, a 106-104 win, would serve as a good tuneup.

“It really helped us to have a game like this before facing Houston,” guard Manu Ginobili said. “They play kind of similar, a fast game with a lot of 3s.”

Far from rim, Capela sinks one

On a night Rockets center Clint Capela did not finish as well around the rim as he normally does, making just 6 of 14 shots against Orlando on Tuesday for his second-worst shooting percentage of the season, he also made his deepest shot of the season, a jumper from 20 feet to beat the shot clock.

“The game before that, he shot an airball,” guard James Harden said. “He was open (on Tuesday). I passed it. I said, ‘Here goes nothing.’ And he made it. He’s been working on it, though.”