The Minnesota Timberwolves pay a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Thursday night. Here’s a Clippers vs. Timberwolves prediction. This article will include a Clippers vs. Timberwolves pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in red-hot form as they’ve won nine of their last 13 games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after sneaking past the Trail Blazers in a 124-121 road win on Tuesday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 34 points, Jaden McDaniels added 29 points with five blocks on 12 of 16 shooting, and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 19 points and four assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 53 percent from the field and 17 of 35 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 33 points in the first quarter to jump out in front early, but even though they never led by more than 12 points at any stage, it always felt like they were in control with Edwards and McDaniels carrying the offense.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have cooled off a bit recently, as they are now looking to avoid a third straight defeat after falling painfully short to the Magic in a 111-109 loss on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 37 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 14 of 25 shooting; Bennedict Mathurin added 21 points with nine rebounds and five assists, while Jordan Miller chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and five of 23 from the 3-point line as they battled the Magic in a close contest that looked destined for overtime before the Magic drained two consecutive shots in the clutch to snatch the game away at the end.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last seven home games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four games as road favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Clippers teams that held a losing record.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last nine night games against the Clippers.
- The Clippers have lost nine of their last 10 night games against Timberwolves teams that held a winning record.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the last eight games between the Timberwolves and Clippers.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 13 games when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last six games as favorites against the Clippers has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the last 10 games between the Timberwolves and Clippers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Benedict Mathurin is one of only six players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
- Kris Dunn ranks 6th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.8%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (29.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.5).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (83.3%).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.0).
- The Timberwolves have used only seven different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
Clippers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves should be back to full strength with Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid both back in action, while the Clippers have ruled out Darius Garland and Bradley Beal, with Kawhi Leonard and John Collins both listed as questionable. The season series is tied at 1-1 but the Clippers won the last meeting by 115-96 back on Feb 8 behind 41 points from Leonard, who could be missing for this meeting. The Timberwolves enter as the hotter team right now; they are fully healthy and I think they get their revenge against a shorthanded Clippers squad in this spot.