Clippers-Timberwolves Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD
Posted Jan 29 2013 6:01PM

With their All-Star point guard banged up, the Los Angeles Clippers have struggled on the road lately. Perhaps it's not the best time for their longest trip of the season.

They open the eight-game swing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have had to deal with their own injuries and adversity during a long slump.

The Clippers try to avoid a fourth straight road loss Wednesday night when they face a Timberwolves team that will have its coach back after a three-week absence.

Los Angeles (33-13) won its first three games after Chris Paul went down with a bruised right kneecap, but it has dropped three of its last four without him.

While he returned for two games, Paul had to be shut down again after finishing with a season-low four points and shooting 1 of 7 in a 104-96 loss to Golden State on Jan. 21.

The point guard is day-to-day and coach Vinny Del Negro said there is no timetable for his return.

Eric Bledsoe will continue to fill Paul's role as the Clippers try to avoid dropping four in a row on the road for the first time since Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 25, 2012.

In seven starts since Paul's injury, Bledsoe has averaged 11.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Bledsoe played 36 minutes without committing a turnover as Los Angeles stopped a four-game slide with a 96-83 win over Portland on Sunday. He's had three or fewer turnovers in six of the seven starts.

Blake Griffin has also raised his game lately, averaging 23.2 points, 6.8 assists and 57.5 percent shooting in his last five. He's averaged 24.0 points in 10 career games against the Timberwolves.

"It's everybody's job on this team to step up, and that's what I've tried to do," Griffin said. "Chris is a huge part of our team and he directs the game from the point guard spot."

The Clippers shot 51.2 percent against the Trail Blazers, improving to 14-1 when they make at least 50.0 percent from the field.

Minnesota (17-24) has allowed teams to shoot 54.5 percent in the last two games, but it's held nine straight opponents under 50.0 at home.

The Timberwolves, who have been without several key players due to injury, hope to get back on track on their home court with Rick Adelman back on the bench.

Minnesota went 2-9 without Adelman, who was with his wife as she dealt with seizures. The Wolves have alternated losses and wins in their last seven home games.

"You feel the positive emotions get back," forward Andrei Kirilenko said of Adelman's return. "You were feeling down, but now you feel everything getting back to normal."

Kirilenko has hit 54.5 percent from the floor in his last five games.

Luke Ridnour finished with a season-high 22 points in a 102-101 loss at Charlotte on Saturday - Minnesota's fourth consecutive defeat. The guard led the Timberwolves with 21 points in a 90-77 loss to the Clippers in the last meeting Jan. 17.

Minnesota has reached 100 points in back-to-back contests after failing to score that many while averaging 88.8 in its previous eight.

Los Angeles will try for its third win in as many matchups with Minnesota this season, and fourth in five games at Minneapolis.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Clippers outmuscle Wolves in 96-90 victory

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Jan 30 2013 11:56PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers have adopted a big, bad bully mentality to muscle their way toward the top of the Western Conference.

When Greg Stiemsma and the Minnesota Timberwolves tried to stand their ground, the Clippers got mad, and then they got rolling.

Blake Griffin had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and DeAndre Jordan added 16 points and 12 boards to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 96-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Caron Butler had 19 points and Jamal Crawford scored 17 for the Clippers, who were challenged in the second quarter during two run-ins with Stiemsma. Matt Barnes was ejected after the first one and Grant Hill was floored during the second. But the Clippers got physical and handed the Wolves their fifth straight loss.

"We never want to come in and lay down and have that be how we get beat," Griffin said. "We came together after that second little scuffle and really said, `OK, we've got to buckle down and do a better job.' We fought back."

Nikola Pekovic had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who had coach Rick Adelman on the sideline for the first time since Jan. 5. Adelman missed the previous 11 games while his wife sought treatment for seizures.

"Teams are playing aggressive and they want to win," said Ricky Rubio, who had nine points and four assists. "We have to come back and don't step back and try to push them."

The Wolves went 2-9 in Adelman's absence. But the downtrodden team played with much more confidence with their leader back on the bench.

J.J. Barea and Alexey Shved led an 8-2 burst that tied the game and Andrei Kirilenko's transition layup gave Minnesota an 86-84 lead with four minutes to go.

But the Clippers got a big 3-pointer from Butler and knocked the smaller Wolves to the court for several loose balls. Griffin muscled home a three-point play with 30 seconds to go to close the game out.

Barea had 14 points and Shved 12.

The Clippers entered the game having lost four of their last five and looking a little disjointed without star point guard Chris Paul, who is out with a knee injury.

Griffin has elevated his game in Paul's absence, entering the night averaging 23.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and a staggering 6.8 assists in the last five games, picking up some of the playmaking slack left for arguably the game's best point guard.

They will get little sympathy from the injury-ravaged Timberwolves. Minnesota got Pekovic and Shved back from five-game absences, giving them 12 players on the bench for the first time since Dec. 26. They're still missing Kevin Love (broken hand), Chase Budinger (knee) and Brandon Roy (knee).

The Clippers looked a little groggy as they opened an eight-game road trip. They picked up a couple of defensive 3-second violations and a bevy of technical fouls to fall behind by as many 11 points in the second quarter. Barnes got things started in the second quarter when he tried to shove his way through a screen set by Stiemsma, then threw a forearm to Stiemsma's throat.

"He hit me with a couple of dirty picks early on and I told him to watch it, then he laughed and he hit me with another one," Barnes said. "I kind of lost my control, which I apologized to the team for. There's no excuse for that, but luckily it sparked the team."

Officials reviewed the play and gave Barnes a flagrant foul-2, which brings an automatic ejection.

"He kind of ran through me on the first one, so I figured he'd do the same on the second one," Stiemsma said. "I didn't know he was going to take it that far. That's what I'm out there to do, set screens and be physical and some guys just take it over the top."

Moments later, Stiemsma flattened Hill when he went up for a rebound under the basket. Butler and Ronny Turiaf forcefully confronted Stiemsma, drawing technical fouls of their own. J.J. Barea hit both free throws for a 37-28 lead.

Stiemsma said he was hit in the face on the play and didn't know Hill was there when he pushed back.

"I wasn't retaliating," Stiemsma said. "I just felt a hit to the face and he just went to the floor."

The outburst did seem to ignite the Clippers, who went on a 37-15 surge over the next 11 minutes to take control. Griffin flexed his muscle down low, getting Derrick Williams to pick up five fouls in 13 minutes while he attacked the offensive glass.

"We've got a bunch of nice guys, but I think we have to be a little tougher," Barea said. "We have to stop being too nice. They turned it up. I think it helped them. That was the game right there."

NOTES: It was Barnes' second ejection of the season and seventh of his career. He entered the game tied for the league lead in technical fouls with nine. ... The 6-foot-1 Bledsoe blocked the 6-11 Pekovic's layup in transition in the third quarter. ... Shved was named to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge that will take place during All-Star weekend in Houston. The rookie entered the game averaging 10.7 points and 4.6 assists this season.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Clippers 96, Timberwolves 90

Phil Miller, for NBA.com
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:31 AM - Updated Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:31 AM

THE FACTS: Blake Griffin set a physical tone early, DeAndre Jordan continued it late, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened their eight-game road trip with a push-and-shove 96-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Target Center. Griffin bulled his way to 12 first-quarter points, including three dunks or layups, and finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds in leading the Clippers to their second straight win, and fourth in a row over Minnesota. Jordan made 6-of-8 shots to add 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamal Crawford scored 17 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and Caron Butler nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer in the with 2:45 to play to put Los Angeles ahead for good.

Minnesota got its most physical player back from injury, but even Nikola Pekovic's 17 points and 12 rebounds weren't enough to handle the Clippers and earn Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman a victory in his first game back after missing three weeks for a family emergency. The Wolves trailed by 11 in the second half, but pulled ahead with three minutes to play, then went scoreless until 8.7 seconds remained in the game, dooming them to their sixth straight loss.

QUOTABLE: "We're a nice team. We've got a bunch of nice guys. But we need to be a little tougher. That's something we've got to work on, stop being too nice."
-- Wolves guard J.J. Barea

THE STAT: 5 -- Consecutive scoreless possessions by Minnesota after taking a one-point lead with three minutes to play, a crumble-down-the-stretch slump that cost them a winnable game. Ricky Rubio missed three shots in that stretch, Andrei Kirilenko had a miss and a turnover, and L.A. scored eight consecutive points to pull out their fourth straight victory over the Timberwolves.

TURNING POINT: Minnesota led by a point, 88-87, with 3 minutes to play in the game, and Jamal Crawford had scored eight of the Clippers' 11 points in the period. Vinny Del Negro called time out, and emphasized better ball movement. They must have listened: Caron Butler nailed a 3-pointer from the corner on the Clippers' next possession, and L.A. outscored the Wolves 9-2 the rest of the way, with four different Clippers contributing points.

QUOTABLE II: "I watched Ricky's eyes. You know he's a pass-first guy, and if you watch his eyes, you get an idea where he's going with it."
-- L.A. point guard Eric Bledsoe, on his six-steal night, including a couple of steals at the expense of Rubio

HOT: Blake Griffin has carried the Clippers' offense with Chris Paul out of action, and he was dominating again Wednesday, leading the Clippers in points (26) and rebounds (13). Griffin, named an All-Star starter earlier this month, has averaged 23.7 points and 5.7 assists on offense in the past six games, and his defense hasn't been bad, either: 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

NOT: The Clippers are only 2-3 since Chris Paul was sidelined by a bruised kneecap, and the stress is showing on their guard line. L.A.'s three backcourt players -- Bledsoe, Willie Green and Jamal Crawford -- combined to make only 8-of-31 shots (25.8 percent), and starting point guard Eric Bledsoe was 3-of-14 with five turnovers by himself. In his defense, however, Paul's backup did contribute 10 assists and six steals.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Nikola Pekovic returned to the Wolves after missing five games with a bruised thigh, and he immediately reclaimed his place at the heart of Minnesota's offense. Pekovic's 17 points and 12 rebounds led the Wolves in both categories, and gave him 14 double-doubles on the season, which ties him for the team lead with injured forward Kevin Love.

GOOD MOVE: Rick Adelman stuck with Barea at point guard for all but the final four minutes of the fourth quarter, and Vinny Del Negro made the Wolves pay for it with a lopsided matchup. He pulled point guard Eric Bledsoe early in the fourth quarter, and put the ball in the hands of sixth man Jamal Crawford. With a 6-inch height advantage over the almost-6-foot Barea, Crawford, held to eight points in the first three quarters, scored nine in the fourth, including eight of their first 11 in the period.

BAD MOVE: Matt Barnes objected to the physical screens being set by Minnesota backup center Greg Stiemsma midway through the second quarter, and after one particularly hard collision, he struck back. On Minnesota's next possession, Barnes ran into Stiemsma, backed up a step, then shoved him again, this time with his hands striking Stiemsma's face. The play was ruled a Flagrant 2, and Barnes was ejected. A minute later, Stiemsma knocked Grant Hill to the ground while jumping for a rebound -- the play was ruled a Flagrant 1 foul on Stiemsma -- and when Caron Butler and Rony Turiaf grabbed his jersey, both were whistled for technical fouls.

ROOKIE WATCH: Guard Alexey Shved was eager to get back on the floor after missing five games with a sprained left ankle, but the time off didn't cure his shooting slump. The Russian guard missed two of his first nine shots on Wednesday, and finished the game 5-of-13, including 1-of-6 on 3-pointers. That brings Shved's shooting to 12-of-46 (26.1 percent) for the past five games he's played, and 30-of-108 (27.8 percent) in January.

NOTABLE: Minnesota coach Adelman was on the sidelines for the first time since Jan. 5, after missing 11 games while his wife Mary Kay was hospitalized as doctors searched for the cause of recent seizures. She has returned home, Adelman said, and he believes he won't need to miss another game or practice. The Wolves went 2-9 while Terry Porter filled in for Adelman. ... Center Pekovic and guard Shved played for the first time since the Wolves last faced the Clippers, Jan. 17 in Los Angeles, missing five games apiece. ... Forward Mickael Gelabale and center Chris Johnson signed their second 10-day contracts with the Wolves, who have an injury exemption that allows them to carry 16 players temporarily. ... The Clippers' bench made only 8-of-23 shots. ... Point guards Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups are not yet in uniform, but both are with the team, and coach Del Negro said it's possible both could return to action during this eight-game road trip. Paul hasn't practiced since suffering a deep bone bruise in his right kneecap; Wednesday was his fifth straight absence, and eighth in 10 games. Billups has played in only three games this season due to tendonitis in his left foot, but returned to practice on Tuesday. He hasn't played since Dec. 3. ... The Clippers improved to 14-8 away from Staples Center, and will play their next seven games on the road. ... Shved has been selected to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, to be played Feb. 15 as part of All-Star Weekend in Houston. Shved is the fourth Timberwolves rookie to appear in the game in the past five years, joining Jonny Flynn, Wesley Johnson and Derrick Williams -- none of whom was selected to the game as a sophomore.

UP NEXT: For the Clippers, Friday @ Toronto, Sunday @ Boston, Monday @ Washington. For the Timberwolves, Friday vs. Lakers, Saturday vs. Hornets, Monday vs. Trail Blazers.

• Clippers: Billups, Thompkins
• Timberwolves: Budinger, Lee, Roy

• Clippers: Butler, Turiaf
• Timberwolves: --

• Lead Changes: 7
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #43 Dan Crawford, #50 Olandis Poole, #52 Scott Twardoski
• Attendance: 15312
• Duration: 2:22

Los Angeles Clippers (35-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-26)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Pekovic vs Jordan (Griffin gains possession)
Griffin Turnaround Hook Shot: Missed	11:39
	11:38	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:14	Pekovic Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:13
Butler 3pt Shot: Missed	10:59
	10:58	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:47 [MIN 2-0]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (1 AST)
Green Jump Shot: Missed	10:26
	10:25	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Green Foul: Defense 3 Second (0 PF)	10:13
	10:13 [MIN 3-0]	Ridnour Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)
	10:09 [MIN 6-0]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (1 AST)
Jordan Jump Shot: Missed	09:45
Griffin Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	09:43
Griffin Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:43 [LAC 2-6]
	09:30	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:29
Bledsoe Step Back Jump shot: Missed	09:21
	09:19	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:13 [MIN 8-2]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (2 AST)
	08:51	Pekovic Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:51
Team Rebound	08:51
Jordan Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	08:51 [LAC 3-8]
Green Foul: Personal (1 PF)	08:41
	08:33	Pekovic Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Bledsoe Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:20 [LAC 5-8]
	07:51 [MIN 10-5]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Jordan Dunk Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (1 AST)	07:40 [LAC 7-10]
	07:14	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
	07:13	Team Rebound
	07:10 [MIN 12-7]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (2 AST)
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:50 [LAC 9-12]
	06:26 [MIN 14-9]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Griffin Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (2 AST)	06:10 [LAC 11-14]
	05:54 [MIN 16-11]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:45
	05:34	Rubio Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Bledsoe Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rubio (1 ST)	05:28
Bledsoe Foul: Personal (1 PF)	05:18
	05:08	Ridnour Running Jump Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:07
Butler Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	04:58 [LAC 13-16]
	04:44	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Griffin (1 ST)
Butler Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	04:32
	04:30	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:21 [MIN 18-13]	Ridnour Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Pekovic (1 AST)
Griffin Floating Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:08 [LAC 15-18]
	03:39	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (1 ST)
Griffin Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (3 AST)	03:34 [LAC 17-18]
	03:15	Pekovic Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Butler Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:14
Griffin Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (4 AST)	03:02 [LAC 19-18]
	02:37	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	02:36
	02:26	Williams Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
	02:26	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:26	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
	02:26	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Shved
	02:26	Rubio Substitution replaced by Barea
Butler Substitution replaced by Crawford	02:26
Green Substitution replaced by Barnes	02:26
Griffin Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)	02:26 [LAC 20-18]
Griffin Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)	02:26 [LAC 21-18]
	02:02 [MIN 21-21]	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Barea (1 AST)
Griffin Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Barea (1 ST)	01:44
	01:27 [MIN 23-21]	Barea Step Back Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Jordan Jump Shot: Missed	00:59.9
	00:58.6	Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Jordan Violation:Defensive Goaltending	00:49.0
	00:49.0 [MIN 25-21]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Shved (1 AST)
Jordan Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Crawford (1 AST)	00:35.6 [LAC 23-25]
	00:25.9	Shved Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (2 ST)
	00:11.6	Shved Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Bledsoe Substitution replaced by Hill	00:11.6
Griffin Substitution replaced by Odom	00:11.6
Jordan Substitution replaced by Turiaf	00:11.6
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	00:00.8
	00:00.3	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Clippers (35-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-26)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:46	Shved Running Jump Shot: Missed
	11:44	Shved Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:35 [MIN 27-23]	Shved Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Odom Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	11:35
	11:35 [MIN 28-23]	Shved Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Odom Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Barnes (1 AST)	11:27 [LAC 25-28]
	11:09 [MIN 30-25]	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Shved (2 AST)
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	10:43
	10:42	Barea Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:33	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
	10:32	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
Turiaf Foul: Personal (1 PF)	10:22
	10:14 [MIN 32-25]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Barea (2 AST)
Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Gelabale (1 ST)	09:54
	09:47	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:46
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	09:28
	09:26	Gelabale Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:20	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:19
Barnes Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	09:12
	08:50	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:49
Barnes Jump Shot: Missed	08:40
	08:39	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Barnes Foul: Flagrant Type 2 (1 PF) (2 FTA)	08:26
Barnes Ejection:First Flagrant Type 2	08:26
	08:26
Barnes Substitution replaced by Butler	08:26
	08:26	Stiemsma Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 2 Missed
	08:26	Team Rebound
	08:26 [MIN 33-25]	Stiemsma Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Turiaf Foul: Defense 3 Second (1 PF)	08:21
	08:21	Barea Free Throw Technical Missed
	08:21	Team Rebound
	08:06 [MIN 36-25]	Barea 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Shved (3 AST)
Butler Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:46 [LAC 27-36]
	07:26	Shved Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	07:25
	07:25	Stiemsma Foul: Flagrant Type 1 (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Butler Technical	07:25
Turiaf Technical	07:25
	07:25 [MIN 37-27]	Barea Free Throw Technical (6 PTS)
	07:25 [MIN 38-27]	Barea Free Throw Technical (7 PTS)
Hill Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:25 [LAC 28-38]
Hill Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 Missed	07:25
Team Rebound	07:25
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	07:09
Turiaf Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	07:08
Turiaf Putback Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:08 [LAC 30-38]
	06:50	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Turiaf Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:48
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	06:42
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:41
Hill Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Butler (1 AST)	06:37 [LAC 32-38]
Odom Foul: Defense 3 Second (1 PF)	06:19
	06:19 [MIN 39-32]	Barea Free Throw Technical (8 PTS)
Turiaf Substitution replaced by Griffin	06:19
Butler Substitution replaced by Bledsoe	06:19
	06:07 [MIN 41-32]	Shved Running Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Griffin Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	05:55
Griffin Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	05:55
	05:55	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:55	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Pekovic
	05:43	Barea Running Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	05:42
Griffin Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	05:31
	05:30	Gelabale Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:20	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
	05:19	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Griffin Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	05:19
	05:19 [MIN 42-32]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	05:19	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:18
Griffin Slam Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)	05:06 [LAC 34-42]
	04:44	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	04:43
Bledsoe Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Gelabale (2 ST)	04:32
	04:18	Shved Jump Shot: Missed
	04:17	Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	04:15 [MIN 44-34]	Cunningham Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Crawford 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (5 AST)	03:51 [LAC 37-44]
	03:32	Gelabale 3pt Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	03:31
	03:25	Shved Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (3 FTA)
Crawford Free Throw 1 of 3 (4 PTS)	03:25 [LAC 38-44]
Crawford Free Throw 2 of 3 (5 PTS)	03:25 [LAC 39-44]
Hill Substitution replaced by Butler	03:25
Odom Substitution replaced by Jordan	03:25
	03:25	Gelabale Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
	03:25	Barea Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	03:25	Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio
Crawford Free Throw 3 of 3 (6 PTS)	03:25 [LAC 40-44]
	03:05	Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed
Crawford Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:04
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	02:56
Crawford Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:55
	02:53	Cunningham Violation:Kicked Ball
Team Timeout : Regular	02:53
Crawford 3pt Shot: Missed	02:41
Jordan Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	02:40
Jordan Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)	02:33 [LAC 42-44]
	02:33	Cunningham Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)	02:33 [LAC 43-44]
Butler Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	02:16
	02:16 [MIN 45-43]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)
	02:16	Cunningham Substitution replaced by Williams
	02:16 [MIN 46-43]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
Griffin Jump Shot: Missed	01:56
	01:54	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Crawford Violation:Kicked Ball	01:51
	01:41	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Butler Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:40
Griffin Running Reverse Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)	01:27 [LAC 45-46]
	01:27	Williams Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Griffin Free Throw 1 of 1 (17 PTS)	01:27 [LAC 46-46]
	01:11	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:10
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Missed Block: Kirilenko (1 BLK)	01:04
Jordan Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	01:03
	01:03	Williams Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:03
Team Rebound	01:03
	01:03	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
Griffin Substitution replaced by Odom	01:03
Jordan Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	01:03 [LAC 47-46]
	01:00	Rubio Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (3 ST)
Jordan Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (6 AST)	00:58.4 [LAC 49-46]
	00:40.9	Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed Block: Jordan (1 BLK)
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	00:38.5
Crawford 3pt Shot: Missed	00:32.9
Team Rebound	00:32.0
	00:32.0	Ridnour Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:32.0
Team Rebound	00:32.0
Jordan Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:32.0
	00:31.6	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	00:09.9	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
	00:08.6	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	00:06.8 [MIN 48-49]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Butler 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (7 AST)	00:00.0 [LAC 52-48]
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Clippers (35-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-26)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:42	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Butler (1 ST)
Green Dunk Shot: Missed	11:36
	11:35	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	11:28	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Bledsoe Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:27
	11:20	Williams Foul: Personal (4 PF)
Griffin Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Missed	11:03
	11:02	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:54	Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	10:53
Butler Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	10:34 [LAC 54-48]
	10:19	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (4 ST)
	10:14	Williams Foul: Shooting (5 PF) (2 FTA)
Bledsoe Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	10:14 [LAC 55-48]
	10:14	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
Bledsoe Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	10:14 [LAC 56-48]
Green Foul: Personal (2 PF)	10:07
	09:56	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	09:55
Griffin Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (1 ST)	09:51
Green Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	09:47
	09:47	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	09:47	Team Rebound
	09:47 [MIN 49-56]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	09:36
	09:35	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	09:26 [MIN 51-56]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Rubio (3 AST)
Griffin Step Back Jump shot: Made (19 PTS)	09:03 [LAC 58-51]
	08:55	Cunningham Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (5 ST)
	08:52	Cunningham Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Bledsoe Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	08:52 [LAC 59-51]
Bledsoe Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	08:52 [LAC 60-51]
	08:41 [MIN 53-60]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Griffin Running Jump Shot: Missed	08:21
Griffin Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	08:19
Griffin Layup Shot: Missed	08:18
Griffin Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	08:17
Griffin Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS)	08:15 [LAC 62-53]
	08:02	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	08:01
Jordan Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (8 AST)	07:53 [LAC 64-53]
	07:53	Pekovic Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
	07:53	Team Timeout : Regular
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	07:53
	07:52	Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	07:31 [MIN 56-64]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (1 AST)
	07:10	Ridnour Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Green Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:10
Team Rebound	07:10
Green Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	07:10
	07:09	Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	06:56 [MIN 58-64]	Rubio Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Missed	06:30
Jordan Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	06:29
Bledsoe Running Jump Shot: Missed	06:15
	06:14	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	05:52 [MIN 60-64]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (2 AST)
Bledsoe 3pt Shot: Missed	05:28
	05:27	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)
	05:18 [MIN 62-64]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:18
Green Substitution replaced by Crawford	05:18
Butler Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	04:58 [LAC 66-62]
Jordan Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	04:36
	04:36	Cunningham Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:36	Team Rebound
	04:36 [MIN 63-66]	Cunningham Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
Bledsoe Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)	04:16
	03:57	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	03:56
Bledsoe Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO)	03:51
Butler Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	03:40
	03:40 [MIN 64-66]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	03:40	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	03:40
Butler Driving Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS)	03:17 [LAC 68-64]
	03:02 [MIN 66-68]	Pekovic Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Rubio (4 AST)
Jordan Dunk Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Crawford (2 AST)	02:40 [LAC 70-66]
	02:23 [MIN 68-70]	Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (3 AST)
Crawford Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rubio (2 ST)	02:02
	01:57	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bledsoe (1 BLK)
	01:55	Cunningham Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	01:53	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
	01:51	Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:41	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	01:40
Bledsoe Layup Shot: Missed Block: Cunningham (1 BLK)	01:29
Butler Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:28
	01:25	Cunningham Foul: Shooting Block (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Butler Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	01:25 [LAC 71-68]
	01:25	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Barea
	01:25	Rubio Substitution replaced by Shved
Jordan Substitution replaced by Odom	01:25
Butler Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	01:25 [LAC 72-68]
	01:11	Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed
Butler Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	01:09
Butler Jump Shot: Missed	01:01
Griffin Rebound (Off:4 Def:7)	01:00
Griffin Dunk Shot: Made (23 PTS)	01:00 [LAC 74-68]
Griffin Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	00:37.4
	00:37.4 [MIN 69-74]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
Butler Substitution replaced by Hill	00:37.4
	00:37.4 [MIN 70-74]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Bledsoe Turnover : Offensive Goaltending (5 TO)	00:31.2
	00:31.2	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Gelabale
Griffin Substitution replaced by Turiaf	00:31.2
	00:31.2	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
Crawford Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	00:10.7
	00:10.7	Stiemsma Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:10.7	Team Rebound
	00:10.7 [MIN 71-74]	Stiemsma Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Crawford Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)	00:03.7 [LAC 76-71]
	00:01.0	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Clippers (35-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-26)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	11:46
	11:45	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	11:21 [MIN 74-76]	Shved 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Barea (3 AST)
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Missed	10:54
	10:52	Cunningham Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
Bledsoe Substitution replaced by Butler	10:41
	10:35	Barea Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Crawford Pullup Jump shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Hill (2 AST)	10:21 [LAC 78-74]
	10:02	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	10:01
	09:40	Barea Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (3 FTA)
Crawford Free Throw 1 of 3 (11 PTS)	09:40 [LAC 79-74]
Crawford Free Throw 2 of 3 Missed	09:40
Team Rebound	09:40
Crawford Free Throw 3 of 3 (12 PTS)	09:40 [LAC 80-74]
	09:28	Barea Jump Shot: Missed Block: Hill (1 BLK)
Butler Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	09:26
Odom Layup Shot: Missed	09:18
	09:17	Cunningham Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
	09:01 [MIN 76-80]	Shved Jump Bank Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Crawford Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	08:44
	08:43	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:30	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed
	08:29	Cunningham Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)
Odom Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	08:21
	08:21
	08:21 [MIN 77-80]	Barea Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	08:21	Barea Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Turiaf Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:21
Butler Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	08:02
	07:50	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	07:48
	07:43	Shved Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Turiaf Substitution replaced by Griffin	07:43
Butler Substitution replaced by Bledsoe	07:43
	07:43	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	07:36
	07:35	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:8)
	07:20	Gelabale Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	07:18
Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Gelabale (3 ST)	07:02
	06:56 [MIN 79-80]	Barea Floating Jump shot: Made (11 PTS)
Odom Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)	06:56
	06:56 [MIN 80-80]	Barea Free Throw 1 of 1 (12 PTS)
Bledsoe Running Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	06:42 [LAC 82-80]
	06:21	Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Hill (1 ST)
	06:21	Jump Ball Shved vs Hill (Crawford gains possession)
Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Cunningham (1 ST)	06:01
	05:46 [MIN 82-82]	Shved Pullup Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:46
Odom Substitution replaced by Jordan	05:46
Hill Substitution replaced by Butler	05:46
	05:38	Barea Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Bledsoe Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (1 BLK)	05:32
Team Rebound	05:31
Crawford Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (9 AST)	05:29 [LAC 84-82]
Crawford Foul: Personal (2 PF)	05:14
	05:14	Gelabale Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
	05:08	Shved Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Bledsoe (6 ST)
	05:06	Barea Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Missed	04:57
Griffin Rebound (Off:5 Def:7)	04:56
Butler Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (2 ST)	04:42
Bledsoe Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	04:38
	04:38 [MIN 83-84]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	04:38 [MIN 84-84]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Butler Jump Shot: Missed	04:22
	04:20	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)
	04:15 [MIN 86-84]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Barea (4 AST)
Butler 3pt Shot: Missed	03:56
Team Rebound	03:54
	03:54	Cunningham Foul: Loose Ball (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Jordan Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	03:54 [LAC 85-86]
	03:54	Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio
Jordan Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	03:54
	03:53	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:10)
	03:33	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	03:31
Crawford Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)	03:17 [LAC 87-86]
	03:00 [MIN 88-87]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Short	03:00
Butler 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Bledsoe (10 AST)	02:45 [LAC 90-88]
	02:30	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
Jordan Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	02:29
	02:20	Rubio Foul: Personal (2 PF) (2 FTA)
	02:20	Team Timeout : Regular
Crawford Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:20
Team Rebound	02:20
Crawford Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	02:20 [LAC 91-88]
	02:09	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed Block: Jordan (2 BLK)
	02:08	Team Rebound
	02:04	Kirilenko Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Griffin (2 ST)
Bledsoe Layup Shot: Missed	01:44
	01:42	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	01:32	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Bledsoe Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:31
Bledsoe Jump Shot: Missed	01:08
Jordan Rebound (Off:4 Def:8)	01:07
Team Timeout : Regular	01:06
Crawford Jump Shot: Missed	00:50.9
Bledsoe Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:49.9
Griffin Jump Bank Shot: Made (25 PTS)	00:30.1 [LAC 93-88]
	00:30.1	Pekovic Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)
Griffin Free Throw 1 of 1 (26 PTS)	00:30.1 [LAC 94-88]
	00:30.1	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:30.1	Cunningham Substitution replaced by Shved
Crawford Substitution replaced by Hill	00:30.1
	00:23.9	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
Griffin Rebound (Off:5 Def:8)	00:22.5
	00:16.4	Rubio Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Butler Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)	00:16.4 [LAC 95-88]
Butler Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:16.4
	00:16.4	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	00:15.5	Team Timeout : Short
	00:08.7 [MIN 90-95]	Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
	00:06.7	Shved Foul: Personal Take (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	00:06.7 [LAC 96-90]
Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:06.7
	00:06.7	Shved Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	00:06.3	Team Timeout : Short
	00:05.9	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Griffin (3 ST)
End of 4th Quarter