It could get REALLY awkward at the Rivers family dinner table during the holidays ... 'cause Austin and Doc are prepping to face off in the playoffs -- and the NBAer is lookin' to embarrass his dad!!
If the NBA postseason started right now, Houston and LA would be set up to play in the first round. But that possibility didn't prevent the 2 from breaking bread together at Craig's on Wednesday.
TMZ Sports spoke with the Rivers boys about the possible match-up ... and Doc jokes he hopes Austin will take it easy on the Clips .