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Clippers 127, Timberwolves 101
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Forward Blake Griffin and guard J.J. Redick scored 23 points apiece, and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-101 Monday night at Staples Center.
Redick, who made seven of 11 shots from the floor, including four of five 3-point attempts, scored 17 first-half points as the Clippers (12-5) claimed a season-high fifth straight win and earned their 10th consecutive verdict over the Timberwolves.
Clippers forward Spencer Hawes delivered 14 points off the bench, point guard Chris Paul scored 12 points and recorded eight assists, and center DeAndre Jordan finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. None of the Los Angeles starters played in the fourth quarter.
Reserve forward Shabazz Muhammad, a former UCLA star, had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves (4-12), who were coming off a 107-93 setback Sunday night to the Portland Trail Blazers. Rookie forward Andrew Wiggins added 14 points for Minnesota, which lost for the fifth time in six games.
The Clippers seized control of the game in the second quarter. Minnesota held a 39-36 lead after a basket by forward Robbie Hummel with 10:01 left in the second, but Los Angeles went on a 20-2 surge to take a 56-41 advantage after two free throws by Griffin. The Clippers held a 65-50 lead at the break after outscoring Minnesota 34-16 in the second period.
The Clippers shot 52.9 percent (nine of 17) compared to 22.7 percent (five of 22) for the Timberwolves in the second quarter. Los Angeles converted 51.3 percent for the game, while Minnesota finished at 42.7 percent.
Los Angeles also connected on 15 of 34 3-point tries, while Minnesota shot 2-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Minnesota played again without three injured starters, shooting guard Kevin Martin (fractured wrist), point guard Ricky Rubio (sprained left ankle) and center Nikola Pekovic (sprained right wrist), as well as reserve forward Ronny Turiaf (sore hip).
NOTES: Clippers F Blake Griffin was selected the Western Conference Player of the Week. Griffin averaged 23.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and five assists in four straight wins last week. … Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the club’s 6-1 run on the recently-completed road trip was a result of his team simply playing better. “We still have a lot of room for improvement, but so does everybody in the NBA,” Rivers said. “We picked a good time to do it, but we still have to get better.” … The Timberwolves lost for the 11th time in their past 12 outings when allowing 100 or more points. The lone exception was Friday’s 120-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. … Minnesota begins a two-game homestand Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. … Los Angeles hosts the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. … The game drew an announced crowd of 19,060.
