The Clippers had an opportunity to move to the top of the Western Conference, and it was up to them to take advantage of the situation.
Of course, it was not going to be easy against a Minnesota Timberwolves team that had the best record in the West and a half-game lead over the Clippers.
The Clippers vowed to be prepared because there was so much at stake and also because coach Tyronn Lue said one of his goals was to have the best record in the NBA by the end of the season.
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert blocks a shot from Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half on Monday.
(Gina Frazee/Los Angeles Times)
But things didn’t work out for the Clippers, who couldn’t overcome the Timberwolves’ lackluster defense in a 121-100 loss at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
As a result, the Clippers dropped to third place in the West and are at 35–16, a game and a half behind Minnesota and a half game behind Oklahoma City.
“They played better than us,” Lue said. “Outwitted us, outwitted us, everything. So, they played better than us tonight. But I thought they were better just with the physicality and attention to detail.”
The Timberwolves have proven their worth on the defensive end all season, holding teams to the lowest scoring totals (107.1 points per game) and lowest field-goal percentage (44.9%) in the NBA.
And the Clippers found that defense was a big problem for most of the first half.
Paul George, who became the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers, fired a three late in the second quarter to give the Clippers their first lead, and then James Harden followed with a three-pointer at the buzzer. The Clippers took a four-point lead at halftime.
But in the third quarter, the Clippers experienced the Timberwolves’ sterling defense. Minnesota held the Clippers to 19 points on 35% shooting from the field in the quarter, while scoring 40 points on 63.2% shooting. The Clippers shot 40.5% for the game.
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1. Clippers forward Paul George argues with an official on the call. 2. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, second from left, watches during the Clippers’ blowout loss. 3. Clippers center Daniel Theis, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert pursue a loose ball. (Gina Frazee/Los Angeles Times)
This put the Clippers in a 17-point hole, and it went deeper in the fourth quarter, increasing to 24. Lue made his debut with 4:56 remaining.
Lue said Minnesota’s size and defense “definitely impressed us”, but he also saw other issues.
“If we’re not making quick decisions, not playing the game the right way, they’re going to make you look bad offensively,” Lue said. “And that’s what he did the whole game. I thought his height bothered us. I thought holding the ball and staying still was really hurting us. If we don’t put it together and make quick decisions…they’re the No. 1 defensive team in the league for a reason. So, you have to make quick decisions, be smart about it and you definitely can’t turn the ball over like we did at the beginning of the third quarter.
Kawhi Leonard, who was 8 for 17 from the field, and George, who was 5 for 16 from the field, each finished with 18 points. James Harden, who went 5 for 13, had 17 points.
But it wasn’t enough to offset Rudy Gobert’s 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots, Anthony Edwards’ 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 24 points.
“It’s important to get better and get every win,” Leonard said. “That’s what we’re focusing on. That’s what I’m focused on and how we’re playing the game of basketball. And if it feels like we’re moving forward with our game, that’s all that matters and that’s the carryover you need in the playoffs.
