LOS ANGELES - To be the champion you have to beat the champion.

Right now, the Los Angeles Clippers can't beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the third time this season, and the second time at Staples Center, the Thunder beat the Clippers to keep them at arm's length in the Western Conference.

With an opportunity to leap frog ahead of the Thunder into second place in the standings, the Clippers could not overcome a sluggish beginning in a 108-104 loss at sold out Staples Center on Sunday.

Instead of moving ahead of the Thunder, the Clippers remain in third place in the conference, 1.5 games behind the Thunder.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points and Russell Westbrook added 29, including a 17-foot shot that put the Thunder up 106-102 with 26.8 seconds remaining.

"It was a good win, a good road win for us," said Westbook. "It was definitely a physical game in a playoff atmosphere, so it was a good win."

Chris Paul had 26 points and led a furious Clippers comeback in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.

Blake Griffin added 20 points before fouling out late in the game, and Jamal Crawford also had 20.

A slow start buried the Clippers in a 19-point hole in the first half, as Paul and his teammates struggled to get going.