Timberwolves at Clippers
THE STORY: Minnesota, one game out of a playoff spot, begins the
second set of three games in three nights when it meets the Clippers in
Los Angeles on Tuesday. The game features two of the best young
All-Stars in the league. Kevin Love (25 points, 14 rebounds) and Blake
Griffin (21.4 points, 11.4 rebounds) are the only players averaging at
least 21 points and 11 rebounds. Minnesota is 46-41 all-time against the
Clippers, and the 46 wins is its most against any opponent.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Timberwolves), FS Prime Ticket (Clippers)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-17):
Love won the 3-point Shootout on Saturday at All-Star weekend. Love’s
3-pointer at the buzzer capped a fourth-quarter comeback that gave
Minnesota a 101-98 victory over the Clippers on Jan. 20. The
Timberwolves stay in Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Wednesday and
play at Phoenix on Thursday. “We'll need a lot of guys to step up if
we're going to maintain what we've done so far,” coach Rick Adelman
said. “Our schedule becomes really difficult in March.” The Timberwolves
play 13 of their next 19 games on the road.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (20-11):
Minnesota’s victory in January over the Clippers came with Chris Paul
and Caron Butler out. Both should be in the lineup Tuesday. “After the
break, that’s when it gets serious” Paul said. “(There’s) definitely a
lot of room for improvement. Obviously we haven’t peaked yet and we can
keep getting better.” The Clippers agreed to a 10-day contract with
Bobby Simmons on Monday. Simmons, 31, played two seasons with the
Clippers from 2003-05. He won the NBA's Most Improved Player award in
2004-05.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In 17 career games against the Timberwolves, Paul is averaging 21.1 points and 10.5 assists.
2. Minnesota is 7-1 when forward Wes Johnson scores at least nine points.
3. Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio leads all rookies in assists (8.4) and steals (2.35).