Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

The Oklahoma City got their act together tonight beating the Los Angeles Clippers at home 114-91.

Derek Fisher suited up for the first time with the Thunder after signing with the team earlier today. In 19 minutes Fisher scored five points and the Thunder were plus-12 with him on the floor. Fisher’s impact was noticeable in the defensive intensity he brought to the court and offensive awareness via swift ball movement.

It was the first meeting between the teams since Jan. 30 when the Thunder lost in Los Angeles and Blake Griffin had his famous dunk on Kendrick Perkins. I wouldn’t say the Thunder took that personal and were out to prove a point against the Thunder tonight but they did look the best they have in awhile tonight.

Early they set the tone getting a lot of looks at the rim and converting them. Posting Kevin Durant with Nick Young matched up with him was the emphasis in the first quarter. If not for hot three-point shooting from the Clippers early, the Thunder would have run away with the game sooner.

Durant had one of his better games of the last few weeks notching 32 points and nine rebounds and making all 11 of his free throw attempts.

Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Sharing was prevalent from the Thunder tonight as the Clippers threw a lot of zone at Oklahoma City and the Thunder responded with the appropriate ball movement foil. Oklahoma City had 20 assists in the game with Durant and James Harden leading the team with five apiece.

The Clipper’s two all-stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin didn’t have their best stuff tonight. Paul had just 13 points and 10 assists and was 3-for-12 from the field. Griffin scored a career-low seven points and went 3-of-11 from the floor.

Randy Foye, who was benched in the Clipper’s last game versus Indiana, was the lone bright spot for the squad heating up from deep early and scoring 16 of his 23 points in the first half.

The Thunder dominated the glass in this one as the Clippers did not register a rebound until around five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Oklahoma City held a 49-31 advantage on the glass and snagged 14 offensive rebounds in the game.

Oklahoma City improves to 35-12 on the year and they will host Minnesota (23-24) Friday night for their next game.

“We are excited to add Derek to the Thunder and believe his experience and abilities will make a positive impact with our team,” Thunder GM Sam Presti said in a press release. ”He is someone that will enhance our roster’s current and future development on and off the floor through his knowledge, professionalism and approach to the game.”

Fisher will likely get some run tonight with the second unit and possibly play some with the starters. It will be interesting to see the blend and if his impact is anything of significance for the team with the best record in the Western Conference.

Fisher surrendered his entire 2012-13 salary to secure his buyout with the Houston Rockets.

He was just recently seen entering the building for tonight’s game. The Thunder have waived Ryan Reid to make room for Fisher.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Thunder (1-game losing streak)
106.8 Offensive Efficiency (2nd)
100.0 Defensive Efficiency (12th)
95.8 Pace (5th)
56.9 True Shooting % (1st)
51.1 Rebound Rate (8th)

Clippers (1-game losing streak)
104.3 Offensive Efficiency (6th)
103.0 Defensive Efficiency (21st)
91.8 Pace (27th)
52.8 True Shooting % (14th)
51.9 Rebound Rate (3rd)

It was not a pretty effort by the Thunder last night losing in Utah 97-90. The game really wasn’t even that close with Utah pulling away beginning in the second quarter and Oklahoma City only nearing a comeback with some desperation threes.

Tonight the Thunder will play the Clippers for the first time since this happened.

That was one of the more memorable games of this regular season up to its point and not just because of Blake Griffin’s dunk.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The matchup was very impressive to watch with the athletes that both teams had and talent of the teams. A late second quarter three-point barrage from the Clips would propel them enough ahead to prevent a Thunder comeback (which still almost happened).

Of late the Thunder have been in a funk struggling to find consistency as the season is hitting that point where some teams including the Thunder are coasting.

Returning home tonight with the memory of the last meeting expect both teams to come out and play hard.

Both teams will feature new additions in the game with the Clippers acquiring Nick Young at the trade deadline and giving away only Brian Cook and the Thunder potentially suiting up Derek Fisher, who is expected to sign with the team later tonight and is rumored to of already passed a physical.

Los Angeles poses a sizable advantage inside and is one of the better rebounding teams in the league. If they can be effective on the glass then it will make life very difficult for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City can play efficiently at a much higher tempo than the Clippers and it will surely be of emphasis for them to get out on the break. Stacked against them is one of the best game-managers in the NBA in Chris Paul and he will probably try and slow things down.

The Clippers won the first meeting thanks to great three-point shooting. Assuming we don’t see a repeat of that the Thunder shouldn’t have a ton of problem defending Los Angeles’ offense, which basically turns into nothing but pick-and-roll by the end of the game.

The fire power that Oklahoma City has in its big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are all going to be tough for the Clippers to matchup. The Clippers weakness is defense on the wing while the offensive isolation prowess of Oklahoma City starts from that position.

It will be a fun matchup no matter what. The Thunder are in need of a well-played game but so are the Clippers. A playoff atmosphere is expected as the teams tip at 8 p.m. EST.