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Clippers vs. Timberwolves Game Preview
The Clippers escaped from a trap game on Saturday with a narrow victory, and now face a huge matchup against the West-leading Timberwolves.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal, NBA TV
Tickets: For great deals on Clippers tickets, check out Barry’s Tickets!
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Timberwolves: Mike Conley – Anthony Edwards – Jaden McDaniels – Karl-Anthony Towns – Rudy Gobert
Injury Report
Clippers: None
Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels questionable (finger), Jaylen Clark out (Achilles), Leonard Miller out (G League Assignment)
The Big Picture
The LA Clippers are coming off a game where they flipped the script in a matinee showing. They actually got off a to a good start before falling asleep against the Detroit Pistons and needing fourth quarter heroics to grab a win.
At the end of the day though, a win is a win and all that matters is the game brought the Clippers closer to regaining the first seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers got positive news on Sunday, however, when their injury report was released and it was clean. Norman Powell took a hard shot to the face against the Pistons and was bleeding profusely before having to be helped to the locker room. It appears as though he avoided anything serious including possible concussion protocol. and should be available tonight.
The Antagonist
The Minnesota Timberwolves come to town back in first place after the Clippers had briefly climbed to the top of the West following their Grammy road trip.
This team has been playing consistently well all season. This is arguably the biggest game of the year for the Clippers. The Wolves held off the Clippers, 109-105, during their first meeting this season which was just about a month ago. During that game, Anthony Edwards had a game-high 33 points and Rudy Gobert added 15 points and 18 rebounds.
This time around, the Clippers are already behind the eight ball with Ivica Zubac still being on a minutes restriction after returning from injury. That’s going to be a big factor against the Wolves frontline of Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns. The Clippers aren’t going to be able to get away with going small as much.
The Clippers essentially control their destiny for the first seed in the West and it’s something they’ve stated is their goal recently. This game is going to be very telling as to where they stand heading into the final stretch of the season.
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