Clippers at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Clippers continue their grueling
six-game road trip when they play for the fourth time in five days
against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Clippers needed
overtime to outlast the Houston Rockets on Sunday and remain in first
place in the Pacific Division by percentage points over the Los Angeles
Lakers. Minnesota already owns a pair of victories over the Clippers in
Los Angeles this season, including a 109-97 victory on Tuesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS West (Clippers), FS North (Timberwolves)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (22-13):
Chris Paul had his eighth double-double of the season with 28 points
and 10 assists to lift Los Angeles past Houston. Paul scored 27 points
in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota and sat out the meeting in January. Blake
Griffin had his 22nd double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds
Sunday, but he continues to struggle offensively on the road trip. He
has failed to reach 20 points in three straight games for the first time
this season.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (19-19): Kevin Love
poured in 42 points as Minnesota salvaged a 2-2 road trip by winning at
Portland on Saturday. The Timberwolves are two games behind Houston and
Denver, which hold down the final two playoff slots in the West. Nearly
lost in Love's eruption was reserve Martell Webster's season-high
21-point effort. It was his fourth double-figure effort in the last six
games after reaching 10 points only once in his first 13 games since
coming back from back surgery.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Griffin scored 30 points against the Timberwolves on Tuesday and averages 26.2 points in six games against them.
2.
Minnesota rookie point guard Ricky Rubio tied a franchise record for
assists in a quarter by handing out 10 in the opening 12 minutes versus
Portland.