Adams Starting At Center For Thunder

Thunder backup center Steven Adams was the first player on the court this morning at The Peake getting some shots up as he prepares to start in place of injured center Kendrick Perkins.

Adams has started twice before this season, once against today's opponent, out in Los Angeles. In that game Adams, played about 24 minutes and scored seven points on 3-for-4 shooting.

Adams was disappointed in his defense that day but told reporters after OKC's practice yesterday that he believes he's gotten much better on that end of the floor.

"I think my game's gone up quite a bit, especially on the defensive end. That's always what I'm working on. I'm getting a lot more comfortable and noticing stuff before it happens, where at the same of the season they'd be doing it right in front of me and I'd be like, what? What is that?"

Clippers All-Star point guard Chris Paul sprained his right (shooting hand) thumb in their loss to Memphis Friday night but Paul is expected to play.

The Thunder have been the best team in the NBA over the last couple of seasons in "bounce-back" games. OKC is 9-3 in those situations this season and 41-10 since the start of the 2011-12 season.

I'll have the latest from The Peake in my Ten Before Tip blog on NBA.com about an hour before today's Noon tipoff.