Clippers at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Minnesota Timberwolves may have to attempt to end a season-worst seven-game losing skid without the services of All-Star forward Kevin Love when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Love is highly doubtful to play against Los Angeles after suffering a mild concussion in Wednesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets and spending the night in a Denver hospital for observation. The Clippers notched an impressive road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (35-23): Guard Chris Paul hit the decisive basket with 8.8 seconds left in the 100-98 victory over Oklahoma City to keep Los Angeles 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division. The red-hot Clippers have won nine of 11 games and are in fourth place in the Western Conference. Paul carried the Clippers in the second half when he scored 24 of his 31 points. “He’s just got that competitive edge about everything,” Los Angeles coach Vinny Del Negro said. “His attitude and his approach rubs off on guys and he was locked in.”
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (25-34): Love was injured in the opening quarter when an accidental elbow from Denver’s JaVale McGee connected. “I knew it was bad right away,” guard J.J. Barea said. “When he was on the floor, I saw his eyes and he was out. He was talking, but he wasn’t all there.” Taking advantage of the opportunity to play was forward Anthony Randolph, who tallied a season-high 28 points despite scoring just 21 points in seven appearances over the last six weeks. Rookie forward Derrick Williams matched his season-high with 27 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Minnesota has beaten Los Angeles three times this season and is looking for its first 4-0 sweep since turning the trick against both the New Orleans Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers during the 2004-05 campaign.
2. The Clippers are 14-14 on the road and vying to finish the season .500 or better away from home for the first time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984.
3. Barea had a career-best 15 assists against Denver.