The third of Monday NBA Week 8 matches is between Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. The game is set to commence at 13:40pm with the game to be played at Staples Center. Away team Los Angeles Clippers go into the match as the favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers.
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When: 13:40 | Monday 23/12/2013
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Minnesota Timberwolves $2.73 vs Los Angeles Clippers $1.48 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Minnesota Timberwolves $2.80 vs Los Angeles Clippers $1.45 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2.73 | 2.70 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.73 | 2.77 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1.48 | 1.48 | 1.45 | 1.48 | 1.48 | 1.45 |
Teams:
Minnesota Timberwolves:
| Num | Player |
|---|---|
| 11 | Jose Barea |
| 13 | Corey Brewer |
| 10 | Chase Budinger |
| 33 | Dante Cunningham |
| 5 | Gorgui Dieng |
| 6 | Robbie Hummel |
| 42 | Kevin Love |
| 23 | Kevin Martin |
| Luc Mbah a Moute | |
| 15 | Shabazz Muhammad |
| 14 | Nikola Pekovic |
| 22 | A.J. Price |
| 9 | Ricky Rubio |
| 1 | Alexey Shved |
| 32 | Ronny Turiaf |
Los Angeles Clippers:
| Num | Player |
|---|---|
| 22 | Matt Barnes |
| 25 | Reggie Bullock |
| 2 | Darren Collison |
| 11 | Jamal Crawford |
| 9 | Jared Dudley |
| 34 | Willie Green |
| 32 | Blake Griffin |
| 15 | Ryan Hollins |
| 33 | Antawn Jamison |
| 6 | DeAndre Jordan |
| 0 | Byron Mullens |
| 3 | Chris Paul |
| 4 | J.J. Redick |
| 5 | Maalik Wayns |
Preview:
Success from beyond the arc tends to have the Los Angeles Clippers feeling rather merry.
A meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves may just keep it that way heading into Christmas.
The Clippers look to build on another impressive performance from long range as they attempt to beat the Timberwolves for the eighth straight time Sunday night.
Los Angeles (19-9) is shooting 33.7 percent from 3-point range on the season, but has made 41.5 percent while averaging 112.0 points during a season high-tying four-game winning streak. The Clippers, who face Golden State on Christmas, have connected on at least 11 3s in each of the past three contests, including 13 while cruising to Saturday’s 112-91 win over Denver.
They’re 21-2 since the start of last season when they make at least 11 from long range and are 8-0 in such games in 2013-14. They hit 12 in a 102-98 win at Minnesota on Nov. 20, extending their winning streak in the series to seven games.
Jamal Crawford came up big from long range Saturday, making 6 of 12 while scoring 27 points. He had 17 in each of the previous three games, while going 5 for 19 on 3s.
Matt Barnes is also looking to do his part after scoring 13 points against the Nuggets after missing 16 while recovering from three procedures to repair a torn retina in his eye. The forward is wearing protective goggles, but isn’t enjoying the experience.
“I feel good,” Barnes said after going 3 for 7 from beyond the arc. “I got elbowed and the goggles gave me a bruise. I don’t see myself wearing them long.”
Blake Griffin is averaging 24.0 points and 11.7 rebounds over the past three games. The forward has totaled 45 points and 20 rebounds in the two wins over the Timberwolves (13-14) this season.
He led the Clippers with 25 points in a 109-107 victory at home Nov. 11, winning against Minnesota there for the seventh time in nine tries and third in a row.
The Timberwolves have dropped nine of 12 on the road, but they’re alternated wins and losses over their last six overall. They’ll look for that to continue after falling 104-91 on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
“No energy. We have to be better than that,” coach Rick Adelman said. “They outworked us all night long. It was a poor game on our part.”
Minnesota will likely need to also show some improvement from the field after shooting 34.7 percent – 5 for 22 from beyond the arc – against the Lakers.
Kevin Love continues to do his part, averaging 30.6 points and 13.0 rebounds while hitting 47.6 percent from long range over the past five games. However, he scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half Friday and was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
The forward had 23 points and 19 boards with seven assists against the Clippers on Nov. 11. He wasn’t nearly as effective at home nine days later, going 2 for 14 from the floor to finish with a season-low 10 points to go with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Kevin Martin had 28 points and 10 boards in that meeting after scoring 30 at Staples Center on Nov. 11. The guard struggled from the floor there Friday, making 6 of 16 attempts while getting 14 points.