The Wolves will have their hands full against a LA Clippers team with plenty of weapons.
With a starting lineup with Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in it, there aren’t many better units than the Clippers’ starting five when healthy. And right now, that group is healthy and has won two-straight games, including a home win over the Celtics on Monday night.
“When you factor in not only the two bigs, but you put Chris Paul into that mix, it’s a lot and along with J.J. Redick, they have catch and shoot, they have pick and roll, they have Jordan at the rim. Blake is a do-it-all power forward,” Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau when asked about how dangerous LA can be.
There’s plenty to play for as both teams have the playoffs on their minds. The Wolves are 3.5 games back from the eighth seed in the West, while the Clippers are just 1.5 games back from hosting the first-round of the playoff.
Payne Returns
Wolves forward Adreian Payne has been cleared for practice after being out since Feb. 7 as he was being treated for a condition of low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
Payne is questionable for tonight’s game. The focus for him moving forward will be getting into basketball shape.
“I’m feeling good,” Payne said. “Healthy. Doctors cleared me so I’m just trying to get back in shape and be with the team.”
Bjelica’s Rise
Wolves forward Nemanja Bjelica has had four-straight games of double-digit points and he credits his recent success to playing more than 35 minutes in a Feb. 27 win over the Kings in Sacramento.
“I mean, I’m doing the same things,” Bjelica said. “I put a lot of work in this summer because I skipped the Olympics. I feel really good on the court and I think I needed that one game with more playing time to get confidence, to get my rhythm .”
Bjelica hopes he can continue that tonight against the Clippers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on Fox Sports North and WCCO 830 AM.