Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers
NBA / Western Conference
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012. 10:30 PM EST
Analysis of the Minnesota Timberwolves
While their opponents on Tuesday night may have something to say about it, the Timberwolves have gone from a team few cared about to arguably the most fun team to watch in the NBA. After only winning 17 games last year (in a full 82 game season), the T-Wolves matched their win total in just the first half of this season going 17-17 and staying in the playoff hunt out west. The combination of PF Kevin Love and rookie PG Ricky Rubio seems to be the spark this young squad needed to become relevant again.
Analysis of the Los Angeles Clippers
As good a PG/PF combo Rubio and Kevin Love are, the Clippers have them beat with All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The two have put on a show this season combining for 40 points per game on average leading their squad to a 20-11 record in the first part of the season. Currently, they’re sitting in the 3rd seed in the Western Conference and will have to at least match their performance during the first half of 2012 to keep that seed or possibly move up, something that won’t be easy in the same division as the rival Lakers.
Key Players
Timberwolves: PF Kevin Love
Love is the star of this team, though he doesn’t make very much noise about it. The young power forward is 4th in the NBA in points per game (25) and 2nd in rebounds (14), making him one of the most active players in the game. A tough matchup against Griffin awaits, but Griffin’s focus on offence over defence may be enough for Love to put up a dominating performance
Clippers: PG Chris Paul
Paul is the field general for the Clippers and is responsible for the nightly performance of his team. He’ll get a favourable matchup (as he always does) against Rubio, but that doesn’t mean the night will be his. Rubio is in the top 5 in assists and steals in the NBA (just as Paul is) so a night off for Paul will mean a loss for the Clips.
Key Statistics
Turnovers:
The Clippers are a decent team in preventing turnovers, only averaging 14.2 each game (6th in the league). The T-Wolves average 16.2 per game though, 28th in the league. Those two turnovers may be the ~5 points that down the Timberwolves in LA, so stopping that from happening will have to be a priority for them.
Prediction
When these two met in Los Angeles earlier this season, Love hit a 3-pointer with no time left to push the Timberwolves to a big win in OT. You have to feel that coming off of the All-Star break both teams will be little rusty but that the Clippers will have the edge due to their depth and talent advantage. The Timberwolves already proved they could beat these guys, but two wins against the Clippers in LA is probably one too much for this season.
Prediction = Los Angeles Clippers: 95 – Minnesota Timberwolves: 88
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