Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

We’re only three games into the exhibition season, yet the defensive woes of the Clippers are already a hot topic. In losing to Golden State, Portland and Utah, the Clippers allowed those teams to shoot 48.6 percent, 53.9 percent and 50.6 percent from the field.

Even worse, Portland shot 68 percent (17 of 25) from 3-point range and Utah shot 46.7 percent (14 of 30) from there.

Point guard Chris Paul was asked Wednesday at practice what his team needs to do to shore things up in this regard. He said part of the problem was that the second unit has so many new faces.

“I think we all know what to do,” said Paul, whose 0-3 team will take on Utah on Friday at Staples Center. “Just right now, part of it is being the preseason. Everybody’s a step slow, second-guessing and stuff like that. We’ll get it there. You know, our first unit, we’ve been together. Our second unit, guys haven’t really played together yet.”

The Clippers allowed an average of 101 points per game, 14th best in the NBA. Through three exhibition games, they are allowing an average of 111 points.