The good news has been Elton Brand, according to the Long Beach Press Telegram's Joe Stevens.

The bad news has been the rest of the team.

As the Clippers returned to Los Angeles to prepare for tonight's home opener against Golden State at Staples Center, the team didn't sugarcoat its two road losses. It accepts the outside shooting has been ugly and that it must improve to win.

"Both of these games, Elton's been the only one out there offensively," Lamar Odom said. "When other guys pick it up and come along with him on offense, I think we'll be all right."

The Clippers shot just 35.6 percent in Thursday's 98-92 overtime loss at Houston. That they had a chance to win in such a dismal shooting performance practically defies logic. Defense kept them in the game