The Los Angeles Clippers hit the road on Sunday to face the Western Conference leaders Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers enter this game with a 38-20 record, leading the Pacific Division and just two games behind the Denver Nuggets for the third seed in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves lead the Western Conference with a 42-18 record, tied in the loss column with Oklahoma City. Kickoff for this critical Western Conference matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST.
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Bad victory
The Los Angeles Clippers’ 140-115 home victory over the Wizards on Friday night was tempered by news that former MVP Russell Westbrook broke his hand during the game. The Clippers picked up their 38th win, but could now become a key member of their rotation for several weeks. James Harden scored 28 points while Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 49 points in the win, but all the talk after the game was about Westbrook.
"I just feel bad for Russ right now," » said Clippers head coach Ty Lue. “You never want to see a player get injured. [Washington’s Jordan] Poole came around and tried to deflect him from the back. I think he hit his elbow with his hand. So we don’t know what the timeline, we don’t know yet if he needs surgery or anything. But he’s out there right now. So I’m just trying to understand.”
The Klaw was strong on the ground ????️ pic.twitter.com/y7zX5d1YN1
-LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 2, 2024
The Clippers will now have to rely on different players without Westbrook to provide a spark off the bench. They are currently in a battle with four teams atop the Western Conference, including the Timberwolves. The Clippers are ninth in the NBA in scoring this season. They are fifth in field goal percentage and third in 3-pointers made. The Clippers are just 14th in three-point field goals made per game. Defensively, the Clippers are 10th in defense this season. They are 10th in field goal defense and 9th in 3-point defense. The Clippers are just 23rd in total rebounds this season and ninth in the NBA in turnovers.
Key injuries: Westbrook (hand) is out.
The Timberwolves are fighting for first place
The Minnesota Timberwolves are tied in the loss column with the OKC Thunder for the lead in the Western Conference after a 124-120 overtime loss to the Kings at home Friday night. The Wolves played the second half and overtime without top scorer Anthony Edwards who left the game for personal reasons. Edwards only had 11 points in the game. Yet the Wolves led by three in overtime before the Kings caught fire and pulled away for the victory. Jaden McDaniels led the way with 26 points while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19, Naz Reid had 18 and Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds.
“A lot of times we’ve done a great job defensively, and then they get these rebounds, they get a kick-out 3, and it hurts,” Gobert said. “Instead of (we) being able to get a stop, they get a wide open shot.”
A CAREER HIGHLIGHT 26 PTS FOR JADEN ???????? pic.twitter.com/2LoV7A9jHq
– Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 2, 2024
The Wolves are trying to fend off three teams and clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with just over a month to play. The Wolves are 19th in the NBA in scoring this season. They are eighth in field goal shooting and second in 3-point shooting. The Wolves are 15th in 3-point field goals made per game. Defensively, the Wolves were dominant. They are first to score on defense this season. They are first in field goal defense and 9th in 3-point defense. The Wolves are 23rd in total rebounding this season and they are ninth in fewest turnovers per game.
Key Injuries: SF Kyle Anderson is daily
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Insider status:
Rating:
The Clippers have been a good road this season, especially since December, but I like the Wolves to get a win here. The Clippers will have to make some adjustments to their rotation with Westbrook’s absence and that will take some time. The team certainly won’t be looking to extend Leonard or George’s minutes given both of their injury histories. The Wolves will also likely welcome back Edwards after missing him for the second half of the Kings game. Edwards’ presence will force the Clippers to consider him everywhere and should pave the way for players like Mike Conley Jr. and Towns. The Wolves should now have a significant advantage, with the league’s best defense facing a depleted Clippers offense.
Take the wolves.
Prediction: Minnesota will cover
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The Wolves are only 19th in the NBA in offense this season, but they are No. 1 in defense. They don’t look to run, ranking 23rd in the NBA in pace of play this season. They also don’t get many transition baskets, ranking 27th in fast break points. The Wolves should do a good job of containing the depleted Clippers on Sunday. The Clippers also like to work the clock and get quality looks at the basket. They are only 20th in pace of play.
Take the bottom.
Prediction: under
