Game 15 Preview: vs Timberwolves

LA CLIPPERS (5-9) vs MINN TIMBERWOLVES (1-12)

Where: Staples Center

When: Monday, November 23 @ 7:30pm

TV: Prime Ticket / Radio: KFWB980AM and 1330AM in Spanish

Clippers: 1 game win streak, 4th Pacific Division, 12th Western Conference

Timberwolves: 12 game losing streak, 5th Northwest Division, 15th Western Conference

After an inspired win against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers need to make sure there isn’t a letdown against the 2nd worst team in the NBA. The Timberwolves are on a 12 game losing streak and haven’t won since beating the New Jersey Nets (0-13) on opening night. Their only win against the NBA’s only win-lessteam was on a last second shot. Since then the Wolves have lost by an average of 15 PPG. In their first meeting the Clippers won 93-90 for their first win of the season.

RasualButler led the Clippers against the Nuggets with 27 points. Butler put up big shots at key times andplayed good defense against J.R. Smith. Butler’s output and defense was part of why the Clipper bench outscored Denver’s 54-21. Although the Clippers have looked lost during some bad losses to the Raptors, Hornets andGrizzlies; they played with a purpose and a sizzle that they need for every game. Was it because Denver is one of the upper tier teams or that Marcus Camby wants to beat his former team so badly? Whatever the reason the Clippers need to bring that fire into every game… every play.

The Clippers are led in scoring with 20.9 PPG, Baron Davis in assists with 7.4 APG, and Marcus Camby in rebounds with 8.6 RPG. Defensively Davis has 29 total steals and Camby has 26 blocks. Eric Gordon is still out but according to Lisa Dillman of the L.A. Times he may be able to play this Wednesday against the Pacers. Gordon has been nursing a strained groin and the Clippers are 2-8 without him in the lineup.

The Timberwolves are led in scoring and rebounding by Al Jefferson with 16.0 PPG and 6.8 RPG and Ramon Sessions in assists with 3.2 APG. X-rays show that Kevin Love will miss at least another 3 weeks. Love broke his hand in the pre-season and has not yet played for new coach Kurt Rambis this season.

This should be an easy victory for the Clippers unless they allow the Timberwolves to hang around by giving them multiple offensive rebounds for put backs and turning the ball over at a high rate. Besides Jefferson, the Wolves are led by rookie Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer and Ryan Gomes who all contributed in keeping their first meeting close. If the Clippers are going to prove they have the talent and mental focus to be a playoff contender they better start stringing victories over teams like the Wolves especially after beating a team like the Nuggets.

Tags: Al Jefferson, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Corey Brewer, Eric Gordon, Jonny Flynn, Kevin Love, Kurt Rambis, Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler, Ryan Gomes