The Clippers recovered from a flat-footed first half in Minnesota to break their two-game skid and beat the Wolves 119-112. Read on for the full game recap:
Clippers Break Skid vs Wolves
It’s enough to make one feel bad for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Such is the talent disparity between the two teams that the Clippers only needed one decent half to comfortably handle the last-place Wolves, 119-112, in Minneapolis. It wasn’t even that good of a half. But it was good enough.
Propelled by a season-best 27 points by Lou Williams, the Clippers found the keys to their offense in the second half and rushed past a Minnesota team that lacks most everything but heart.
It turns out that the keys to the offense were hiding in their defensive bag, which the Clipeprs had misplaced (or ignored) for the first 24 minutes. Minnesota surprised the Clippers from the start, getting seven quick points from Karl Anthony-Towns, who returned after a 13-game COVID-related absence and finished with a workmanlike 18-and-10 double-double.
The Clippers’ early defense could be charitably described as disinterested, despite Patrick Beverley’s return from injury, as they allowed the Wolves’ bevy of mediocre shooters to find free looks from behind the arc. But even a bad shooter is right twice a game, or something like that. A few threes found the net’s bottom and the Clippers dug themselves into an early 11-point hole.
After a late Lou Williams flurry closed the first-quarter deficit to five, the Timberwolves’ execution sunk to the Clippers’ level, with the two teams combining to start the second quarter zero-for-seven from the field. Despite Lou and Terance Mann bringing some needed energy, the Wolves dominated the glass, wiping out Ivica Zubac buckets and hounding the offensive boards to hold a six-point lead at the half.
Then it was the third quarter, the Clippers’ quarter. (It would be cliché if it weren’t true.) Tyronn Lue’s charges found some early stops from which to spring their transition offense, resulting in a 12-0 run and their first lead of the game. A 7-0 run later in the third frame solidified their grip around the steering wheel, as did their early entry into the bonus. Their plus-10 free-throw advantage in the contest was no small factor.
After weathering a 9-0 Minnesota counterpunch early in the fourth, the Clippers’ stars took over. First it was Lou, who scored 13 of his points in the big-money quarter. Then Kawhi Leonard assumed control, asserting himself from the midrange to record 12 of his game-high 36 points.
(It’s a testament to Kawhi that he also tallied eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a game where he was more solid — relatively speaking — than good. Maybe it was his five turnovers and subpar — again, RELATIVELY SPEAKING — defense. And maybe I’m just spoiled.)
Despite the return of their prolific star and an otherwise solid team effort, the Wolves simply found themselves outgunned. Such is life in the NBA’s cellar.
And such is life for the talent-rich Clippers, who did what they had to do to get back into the win column.
Notables
Best Performances in a Supporting Role: For the Clippers, the award is shared by Mann, who married his characteristic intensity with an efficiency that is becoming habitual, and Reggie Jackson, who used his customary aggressiveness for good instead of evil. Mann usurped the struggling Luke Kennard’s spot in the rotation in the second half, pulling down five rebounds. Reggie scored 15 and matched Kawhi’s team high with seven tries at the free-throw line. Nicolas Batum added 10 rebounds and two timely threes.
For the Wolves, it goes to Naz Reid, who scored a team-high 23 points in just 20 minutes off the bench. The big man showed off an increasingly effective mix of on-target shooting with skillfully athletic rim-rolls. Malik Beasley converted just a third of his shots, but scored 21 on the strength of four threes and seven free throws. Ricky Rubio, who started for the injured D’Angelo Russell, handed out 10 assists. Also, this Jaden McDaniels might be something. He had four blocks — it was largely McDaniels doing the Zubac erasing.
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