L.A. Clippers -- Team Dinner in Hollywood ... No Coaches Allowed

With the NBA regular season kicking off in just ONE WEEK, the L.A. Clippers decided to do some last minute team bonding last night ... over some very expensive pasta.

TMZ cameras rolled as Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Matt Barnes and the rest of the squad hit up Cecconi's restaurant in West Hollywood ... WITHOUT coach Doc Rivers.

On the way out of the restaurant, we spoke to new Clippers swingman Jared Dudley, who told the dinner was planned so the Clip Squad could "get off on the right step."