Timberwolves dominate Clippers in 122-104 win

Los Angeles Clippers #14 Terance Mann (G) jump shot from the right side of the basket at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sportstv1.

1/4/22 LOS ANGELES, CA - The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a three-game losing streak with a 122-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at the Crypto.com Arena. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, and six players scored in double figures.

The Clippers have now lost four of six games. They got outscored in the paint, 64-42, and had 21 turnovers in the game. Serge Ibaka led Los Angeles with 17 points.

"We outworked them for the most part," Wolves coach Chris Fitch said. "We did a good job of being focused playing on the back-to-back. We got great bench production which is what you need on the back-to-back."

The Clippers took an early 13-12 lead after six minutes of play in the first quarter, but seven turnovers let the Wolves finish the quarter with a 26-21 lead. Sloppy play continued in the second quarter, and the Wolves led by as many as 18 points.

Minnesota took a 64-46 halftime lead while the Clippers had thirteen points off of turnovers. Ibaka finished the first half shooting 6 of 6 with 15 points. The Wolves outscored the Clippers in the second quarter, 38-25.

In the third quarter, the Clippers came within fifteen points, but Minnesota made three straight 3-pointers to extend their lead to 78-54. The Clippers continued to make costly turnovers in the fourth quarter.

The Wolves scored nine unanswered points, with five coming from former Clipper Patrick Beverley.

"He just told us he needed this game," said Taurean Prince, who had 17 points for the Wolves. "It was just perfect how it played out."

The depleted Clippers were without head coach Tyronn Lue who entered the NBA's health and safety protocol. Brian Shaw has served as the acting coach. The Timberwolves will host Oklahoma City on Wednesday, while the Clippers will be at Phoenix on Thursday.