Timberwolves 109, Clippers 97
TIMBERWOLVES 109, CLIPPERS 97: Derrick Williams had a career-high 27 points and Michael Beasley also scored 27 as visiting Minnesota roared past Los Angeles in the fourth quarter.
Williams was 9 of 10 from the field and made all four of his 3-pointers, and scored 13 of the Timberwolves' first 17 points in the final period.
Beasley was 11 for 15 and also scored 13 in the fourth as Minnesota (18-17) already surpassed its win total from last season. The Timberwolves outscored the Clippers 36-21 in the fourth after trailing 76-73.
Minnesota had a monumental 72-11 advantage in bench points and made 10 of 22 3-pointers compared to 2 of 11 for the Clippers.
Blake Griffin scored 18 of his 30 points in the first quarter for the Clippers (20-12). Chris Paul had 27 points and six assists and DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Clippers jumped to a 61-51 lead with seven points to open the third quarter, but Minnesota went on an 8-0 run keyed by five points from Johnson.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Ricky Rubio played against Paul for the first time this season. "Yes, but I play against him in Olympic games and I know him," Rubio said. "He's a tough guy. He knows how to play. He's the key of this team." ... Coach Vinny Del Negro said the Clippers might still listen to deals before the March 15 trade deadline. ... Clippers backup power forward Kenyon Martin's bruised ribs could take a few weeks to heal, Del Negro said. ... The Timberwolves' 16 first-half assists are a season high for the opening half. ... The Timberwolves return to Staples Center on Wednesday to play the Lakers before a game at Phoenix on Thursday.