CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: CLIPPERS BACK IN TOWN.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

The Clippers returned to Los Angeles on Monday, hoping their three-day stint in La Jolla did some good in regaining confidence after their four-game exhibition losing streak.

The club will get some semblance of normalcy when it plays Atlanta tonight at the Sports Arena, the first game at its regular home site.

After the six-day road trip and then three days in La Jolla, the Clippers will continue camp at Carson, where they will stay at a hotel.

``The guys will get to go home for awhile and be close, so that's a good thing,'' Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. ``These are the times we can start working on specifics.''

A 1-4 exhibition record with four straight losses won't prompt Fitch to play a nine-man rotation to try to win the final two games.

Fitch has been playing the starters 20-plus minutes and allowing the reserves and rookies to play in the second half. He was pleased after the La Jolla stay in the club's work ethic.

``I'm happy with the enthusiasm,'' Fitch said. ``Right now, we're just putting the polish on the shoes and getting ready for the opener.But everybody is working hard and we have some real competition.''

One such competition is between guard Kiwane Garris and James Collins, who might be playing for a roster spot. James Robinson underwent an MRI late Monday on his right foot and could be out at least another week.

Fitch might contemplate starting Robinson on the injured list and giving an extra spot to Garris or Collins.

``Both of those guys have come in here and worked their rear ends off,'' Fitch said. ``I'm obligated to them until the end of camp and I'll make a decision then. But both are proving they deserve to be in this league.''

Vaught keeping fresh: Loy Vaught has been working out 100 percent with the team since missing three exhibition games with back spasms. And the rest has done him good.

``I dread training camp,'' Vaught said. ``I'd rather play in games. My back's sore, so I'm just resting it and taking precautions. I just have to wait for the season to start and get through this.''

Vaught realized his slow start last season, 9.9 points per game in the first month, was because of fatigue. He wants to enter the season fresh, especially since he wants to have a monster season in the final year of his contract.

The Clippers also want Vaught rested, meaning he might play limited minutes in the last two exhibition games.