Game Preview #21 – Timberwolves at Clippers

The Wolves head to LA for a rematch with the Clippers. After pulling off a nail-biting victory over the Clips, can the Wolves keep their momentum going when the teams clash again in the Intuit Center?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Date: December 4th, 2024
Time: 9:30PM CST
Location: Intuit Dome
Television Coverage: NBA TV/FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Wolves Head to LA Looking for a SoCal Sweep: Can They Keep the Momentum Rolling?

For the first time in franchise history, the Timberwolves are heading to the Intuit Dome. Their mission? Complete a clean sweep of their three-game swing against Los Angeles opponents. It’s been a rollercoaster ride lately, but after snapping a four-game losing streak with back-to-back wins against the Clippers and Lakers, the Wolves have clawed their way back to .500 at 10-10.

It’s a nice reset, sure. But as we all know, “.500” is like the middle seat on an airplane—it’s fine, but no one’s happy about it. The question now is whether this team can finally build some consistency or if the ups and downs will continue to define their season.

Clippers Flashback: A Nail-Biter in Target Center

Let’s rewind four days. The Wolves squeaked out a one-point victory over the Clippers at home, snapping their skid and giving fans something to cheer about heading into Thanksgiving weekend. But here’s the thing—don’t expect LA to roll over when Minnesota hits their turf. The Clippers probably left Target Center thinking they should’ve had that game, especially after the Wolves practically handed them the ball 22 times (seriously, turnovers are Minnesota’s love language).

This rematch is going to be about pride for LA. Norman Powell, their leading scorer, is expected to play this time around, adding another wrinkle to a team already licking its wounds. On the flip side, Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined, so Minnesota avoids the full-strength Clippers—but let’s not act like this game is a layup. Powell’s return alone could flip the script.

Monday Night Blowout: Revenge on the Lakers

Monday’s 29-point beatdown of the Lakers was… therapeutic. After the season opener saw Anthony Davis drop 36 points on the Wolves while looking like Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet, Minnesota finally got their revenge. Rudy Gobert, in particular, was on a mission—throwing down dunks, stealing the ball for breakaways, and showing why the Wolves gave up a mountain of assets to get him.

Of course, let’s not crown the Wolves just yet. The Lakers were coming off a back-to-back with a red-eye flight from Utah, and LeBron looked like he was more interested in a postgame nap than a fourth-quarter comeback. But hey, a win is a win, and Minnesota desperately needed this one.

Positives to Build On

What stood out in these last two games was the energy and aggression from some of the Wolves’ key players.

• Naz Reid’s hustle plays were pivotal in the Clippers win.
• Gobert’s interior dominance made the Lakers look like they forgot how to defend the paint.
• Julius Randle, while still having his occasional defensive lapses (cue the statue memes), showed flashes of the offensive bully ball the Wolves need from him.
• Donte DiVincenzo finally started hitting shots, which felt like spotting Bigfoot after weeks of disappointment.

The Wolves played with purpose, and that’s what they’ll need to carry into this road trip.

Keys to the Clippers Rematch

The Wolves need to clean up their act when it comes to turnovers. Friday’s game featured 22 giveaways, and if the Wolves can limit their mistakes, it should go a long way towards winning this game.

Defensively, it’s all about the guards. Powell and James Harden will test Minnesota’s perimeter defense, and the Wolves’ wings—Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker—need to rise to the occasion.

Offensively, keep the ball moving. When Minnesota plays iso-heavy basketball, their offense bogs down faster than your Wi-Fi when everyone’s streaming at once. Getting contributions from Gobert, Randle, and Reed down low while letting Edwards cook from the perimeter is their path to success.

What’s at Stake

It’s been a wild first quarter of the season, but this three-game California trip is a huge opportunity for Minnesota to right the ship. After facing the Clippers, they’ve got back-to-back games against the Warriors—a team they’ll need to beat if they want to start climbing the Western Conference ladder.

There’s no room for overconfidence. Sure, the Wolves handled the Lakers and edged out the Clippers, but this is a team that still hasn’t proven it can sustain success. If they start looking ahead to Golden State instead of focusing on the task at hand, they could find themselves back under .500 by the end of the night.

Final Thoughts

Minnesota’s season has been a mixed bag so far, but they’re still in the thick of things. With a record of 10-10, they’re just a couple of games out of a top-six seed in the West. The potential is there, and Monday’s win showed glimpses of what this team can be when they play with energy and cohesion.

Now, it’s about sustaining it. If they can clean up the turnovers, keep their defensive intensity high, and avoid the mental lapses that have plagued them all season, this could be the start of a much-needed turnaround. But it all starts tomorrow night in the Intuit Dome. Let’s see if they’re up for the challenge.