The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday 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 cooled off from their five-game win streak, as they are now hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting trampled by the Lakers in a 120-106 road defeat last night. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring with 14 points each; Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 13 points, while Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 46 percent from the field and 10 of 40 from the 3-point line as they played great defense at the start of the game to hold the Lakers to just 16 points in the first quarter, but they really let themselves down in the third quarter, where they allowed 39 points to trail by as many as 23 points at one stage. The Timberwolves just couldn’t get going on the offensive end and you have to point a lot of blame at Anthony Edwards, who shot just two of 15 from the field and one of 10 from the 3-point line.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are starting to heat up again, as they’ve reeled off five wins from their past six outings and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the Knicks in a 126-118 home win on Monday. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 29 points, seven rebounds and eight assists; Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points on nine of 20 shooting off the bench, while Darius Garland chipped in with 23 points and seven assists. As a team, the Clippers shot 46 percent from the field and 18 of 39 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and poured in 36 points in the second quarter to take a nine-point lead into halftime and it proved to be crucial as the Clippers were good enough to stay just in front the rest of the game despite the Knicks scoring 37 points in the fourth quarter.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Clippers have won each of their last eight home games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Timberwolves have lost 11 of their last 13 games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Clippers.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last nine home games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last 10 night games against the Clippers.
- The Clippers have lost each of their last six night games against Timberwolves teams that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs after losing as favorites.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last six games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the last six games between the Timberwolves and Clippers has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Kawhi Leonard ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.0) this season.
- Bennedict Mathurin is one of only six players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (29.3) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.4).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (83.2%).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (29.8).
- The Timberwolves have used only seven different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
Clippers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are coming in with a full roster once again, while the Clippers have ruled out Bradley Beal and John Collins. These two squads have already clashed three times this season, with the Timberwolves leading the series by 2-1, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, which will be tough against an improving Clippers squad who are starting to heat up again. The Timberwolves are the healthier team, but the Clippers have opened as slight favorites at home and they are only going to improve with Garland continuing to work himself into the rotation. This should be a close one, but I like the Clippers to get some revenge with a gritty win and cover at home in this one.