Clippers looking past their current hot streak

As the Clippers traverse their way across an 82-game schedule, they are keenly aware that there will be hardships to face before they get to the regular-season finish line.

Right now, as they prepare to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, the Clippers haven’t encountered much distress.

They have the league’s best record at 7-1 and are statistically the NBA’s best defensive team.

And yet All-Star guard Chris Paul can’t help but wonder about the difficulties that surely lie ahead.

“The part about it is that we will hit adversity at some point,” Paul said Wednesday night after the Clippers had little trouble dispatching the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. “As much fun as I’m having right now, that’s all I’m thinking about. When that does happen — seriously — just how are we going to react? That’s the thing.”

The Clippers ran through their last two opponents at home, beating the Detroit Pistons by 32 points and the Trail Blazers by 31.

Over their last four games, the Clippers have made it look easy, winning by an average of 24.5 points. In this young season they lead the league in point differential at plus-16.9.

“Every game is not going to be a 30-point win,” Paul said. “It’s not going to be a 40-point win. Seeing what we’re doing right now is pretty cool because there’s a sense of urgency — whether we’re up 10, whether we’re up 15. The communication that’s going on with our team, both units, it’s fun, it’s really fun. I’m thinking when that adversity does hit, we’ll be ready.”

When it does arrive, the Clippers can rely on their stingy defense.

They’ve given up league lows in points per game at 88.3, shooting percentage at 39.6 and defensive efficiency at 89.3.

“I think it’s knowing our system and knowing what we’re trying to take away. I think that’s the key on the defensive end,” Blake Griffin said. “The improvisation part is just knowing who the next guy is, whoever’s the closest in the rotation.

“We like to keep DJ [DeAndre Jordan] by the hoop. If it doesn’t work out like that, we’re just scrambling around and when we get a chance, we’ll try to reset.”

Rivers looks ahead

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers claimed not to know his team’s record after Wednesday’s victory.

Rivers was told it was 7-1.

“All right, so I know our record,” Rivers responded. “I don’t pay much attention to it.”

Rivers said his main objective is to drive the Clippers.

“My whole thing is getting better, and pushing guys to stay consistent when you are good,” he said. “It’s all going to play out and it’s going to take care of itself. But it takes care of itself if you do your job. And as a group, we’re doing our jobs.”

UP NEXT FOR CLIPPERS

AT OKLAHOMA CITY

When: 5 p.m. PST, Friday

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 570, 1330.

Records: Clippers 7-1; Thunder 6-2.

Record vs. Thunder: 0-1.

Update: Russell Westbrook is second in the NBA in scoring (31.1 points a game) and third in assists (9.5) He’s also averaging 8.3 rebounds, but an unsightly 5.6 turnovers. The Thunder are fourth in rebounding (46.9) in the league, seventh in offensive rebounding (11.5).

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner