The Thunder have been remarkably resilient this season, rebounding from losses to post a strong 14-9 record in the game immediately following a setback.

That record and those experiences will be called forth tonight as Oklahoma City looks to get back on the right track following Wednesday night's rocky mountain low most lopsided loss of the season 119-90 to Denver in the opener of this three game road trip as they gear up for tonight's clash with the 25-36 Clippers at L.A.'s Staples Center.

The loss two nights ago was no more than a small glitch on a season that remains extremely upbeat if the Thunder come back strong tonight. But 36-24 OKC has slipped a bit defensively of late, allowing 100 plus points in five of it's last eight games at a 105ppg clip. Getting back to defensive principles that have truly been hallmarks of this team's ascension and the execution of those principles are what have been stressed since the loss to the Nuggets. On paper the Clips seem a reasonable target against whom to get back on track. They score just 96ppg offensively. In fact, only three teams in the league are more anemic scoring the ball than Los Angeles.

But L.A. has won four of it's last five home games and has been inspired by the additions of high energy swingman Travis Outlaw (9.6ppg), point guard Steve Blake (7.3ppg, 4.4apg) and power forward Drew Gooden (15.8ppg, 9.0rpg as a Clipper) through a pair of trades a couple of weeks ago. And don't forget Los Angeles features three legit big time offensive talents in two-time All-Star playmaker Baron Davis (15.3ppg, 8.0apg), explosive second year shooting guard Eric Gordon (17.4ppg) and nightly double-double machine Chris Kaman (19.6ppg, 9.6rpg) at center. Getting back on the winning track for the

Thunder may not be as easy as it appears! It's been an eventful stay in Southern California already for a pair of

Thunder players. Rookie guard James Harden (9.8ppg) was a guest on the national 'Rome is Burning' program on ESPN yesterday afternoon. And last night floor leader Russell Westbrook (16.6ppg, 7.9apg) received the honor of having his high school jersey number retired at Leuzinger High in Lawndale, California joining current Miami Heat player Dorell Wright as the only two to gain that distinction in the school's history. Virtually the entire OKC team was on hand to support Westbrook. Maybe that bodes well for tonight.

Back to the business of returning to the win column... The Thunder and Clippers have split two head to head early season November encounters, each winning on the other's home court. OKC's success tonight will come with solid team 'D', keeping Gooden, Kaman and reserve big man DeAndre Jordan quiet on the boards and attacking an L.A. defense that is allowing 113ppg over the last four games.