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 Los Angeles made its free throws and made timely defensive stops in
a 110-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on
Monday.
The Clippers (12-9), beginning a five-game road trip, won for the
fifth time in six games and improved to 3-4 away from Staples
Center.
"We executed, we got every shot, we got every stop," Clippers coach
Doc Rivers said. "That's how you end games. They're young too,
they're going to keep getting better and better."
The loss was Minnesota's fourth consecutive and third straight on a
four-game homestand that wraps up Wednesday against the Los Angeles
Lakers.
The game was fast paced for much of the night as the teams traded
leads 15 times, including seven in the fourth quarter.
"They know how to play in those situations," Timberwolves interim
coach Sam Mitchell said. "We're disappointed in our home record, but
we've been in every game."
Los Angeles center DeAndre Jordan powered the Clippers early
accounting for 12 points and six rebounds in the first quarter. Much
of that offense came on four monster follow-up dunks as the Clippers
led 29-25 after 12 minutes.
Minnesota (8-12) went on a 17-4 run early in the second quarter,
including a five-point burst by rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns
that gave the Timberwolves their largest lead of the night at 49-41.
Towns had 10 points at halftime as Minnesota went to the locker room
ahead by two.
The Wolves stretched that lead to six after three quarters.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin's lay-in with 25.5 seconds left gave
his team the lead for good before a marathon final 10 seconds that
featured a combined eight fouls.
"We always feel like we're in good shape but that last minute is
killing us," Wolves guard Zach LaVine said. "We can't learn how to
pull it through."
Guards J.J. Reddick and Jamal Crawford made all nine of their free
throws as the Clippers' lead shifted between one and three points.
A foul away from the ball on Towns finally allowed the Clippers the
extra free throw and an opportunity to make it a two-possession
game.
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Reddick was one of nine from the floor, including zero-for-five from
beyond the arc but had 13 points thanks to his 11-for-11 from the
line.
"I always feel like the next shot's going in, whether it's from the
field or the free-throw line," Reddick said. "I had made my four
free throws prior to that point [late in the game], so I was good."
Griffin finished with 16 points and added 11 rebounds, and guard
Chris Paul had 14 points and five assists for the Clippers. Crawford
added 18 points off the bench, shooting four-for-6 from beyond the
arc.
"We made this uglier than it had to be," Paul said. "But we got some
stops down the stretch."
Minnesota was buoyed 59 points from its bench, including a game-high
21 from LaVine and 14 from forward Gorgui Dieng. Forward Shabazz
Muhammad had 13 points to go along with nine boards, falling one
rebound shy of his second career double-double.
"I think Zach is getting better before our eyes," Mitchell said. "We
always thought he could score in this league; we think in time, he's
going to get better at it."
Towns led the Minnesota starters with 18 points. Point guard Ricky
Rubio added 16 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves.
NOTES: Clippers G Chris Paul originally was listed as out for
Monday, but he was in the starting lineup after missing two games
because of sore ribs. ... Clippers G J.J. Redick was active despite
an ankle injury. ... Timberwolves F Kevin Garnett grabbed three
defensive rebounds, leaving him four shy of Karl Malone's all-time
record. ... The Clippers will continue their road trip Wednesday
with a game against the Bucks in Milwaukee. ... The Timberwolves
will conclude a four-game homestand Wednesday against the Los
Angeles Lakers.
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