7:00 p.m., Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO
The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping to win their fourth game out of five on Wednesday night at home against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Wolves are 25-49, good for 13th in the West.
The Clippers are 46-27, fourth in the West. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot and they are pretty cemented in at the four spot with just nine games remaining.
A few tidbits going into Wednesday night’s game:
Coming Off Of…
The Wolves are coming off of a 121-116 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
Andrew Wiggins led the Wolves with 32 points, shooting 6-for-13 from the field, 3-for-5 from the 3-point line and 17-for-21 from the free-throw line. Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Ricky Rubio had a double-double as well, finishing with 17 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Zach LaVine and Gorgui Dieng scored 15 and 11 points, respectively. Shabazz Muhammad led the second unit with 10 points.
The Clippers are coming off of a 114-90 home win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
Austin Rivers led the way with 16 points off the bench. Jamal Crawford added 15, as did DeAndre Jordan. Jordan also had 13 rebounds and three blocks. Chris Paul added 13 points and 14 assists. Johnson and Jeff Green had 11 and 10 points off the bench, respectively.
Last Matchup:
The Wolves are 1-2 against the Clippers this season, with the last game coming on Feb. 3 in Los Angeles. The Wolves won 108-102 behind 31 points from Wiggins. Towns added 17 points and 12 rebounds, while LaVine had 17 off the bench. Gorgui Dieng finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Paul led the Clippers with 22 points, while Crawford had 21 off the bench. Jordan finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. Johnson added 12 off the bench.
Key Matchup: Ricky Rubio vs. Chris Paul
Rubio has been sensational in March, averaging 13.6 points, nine assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from the 3-point line and 91.5 percent from the free-throw line.
For the season, Rubio’s having one of his best, averaging 10.6 points, 8.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
He’ll have a big test on Monday against Paul, though.
Paul is having another great season, averaging 19.8 points, 9.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He’s shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from the 3-point line and 89.2 percent from the free-throw line.
If Rubio can slow down Paul and hit some shots himself, the Wolves should be in good shape.
Injuries:
Los Angeles: Paul Pierce (ankle) is doubtful. Blake Griffin (suspension) and Branden Dawson (personal) are out.
Minnesota: Nikola Pekovic (foot) and Kevin Garnett (knee) are both out.
Projected Starters:
Los Angeles: PG- Paul, SG – Redick, SF – Mbah a Moute, PF – Green, C – Jordan
Minnesota: PG- Rubio, SG- LaVine, SF- Wiggins, PF- Dieng, C- Towns
