LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions

Los Angeles Clippers (42-40 SU, 40-41-1 ATS) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36 SU, 42-38-2 ATS)
When: Tuesday April 12 2022, 09:30 PM (ET)
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: TNT

Point Spread: LAC +3/MIN -3 (Opened MIN -3 at BetNow)
Total: 230.5 (Opened at 230.5)
Money Line: Los Angeles Clippers 125/Minnesota Timberwolves -150
Power Rating: MIN -4

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Clippers PG Reggie Jackson, SG Paul George, SF Nicolas Batum, PF Marcus Morris, C Ivica Zubac
Minnesota Timberwolves PG Patrick Beverley, SG D’Angelo Russell Q, SF Anthony Edwards, PF Jarred Vanderbilt, C Karl-Anthony Towns

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers Jason Preston: Foot (OUT) Luke Kennard: Hamstring (QUESTIONABLE) Nicolas Batum: Ankle (QUESTIONABLE) Jay Scrubb: Toe (OUT) Kawhi Leonard: Knee (OUT)

Minnesota Timberwolves D’Angelo Russell: Illness (QUESTIONABLE)

The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers in a Non-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 09:30 PM ET at the Target Center.

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Clippers come into this game with an overall record of 42-40, placing them 8th in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, Los Angeles has struggled in their 41 road contests, sitting at 17-24. Over their last five games, the Clippers have played well, picking up 5 wins. During this stretch, Los Angeles is averaging 128.0 points per game, 20.0 points more than their season average of 108.4. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 111.0 points per contest. Los Angeles comes into this game also playing well defensively, holding their opponents to just 103.0 points per game. An improvement on their season average of 108.4.In the Los Angeles Clippers’ most recent game, Los Angeles took down the Okla City by a score of 138-88

The Minnesota Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 46-36, placing them 7th in the Western Conference. So far, Minnesota is above .500 at home, holding a record of 26-15. The Timberwolves have played well over their last five games, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, Minnesota is averaging 127.0 points per game, 11.0 points more than their season average of 115.9. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 113.0 points per contest. Even though the Timberwolves have been adding to the win column, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 128.0 points per game, up from Minnesota’s usual rate of 113.3. In the Minnesota Timberwolves’ most recent game, the team fell to Chicago by a score of 124-120.

Individual Player Analysis

As Los Angeles travels to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers’ leading scorer is Paul George. Through 32 games, George is averaging 24 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 44.0% of his games. As George gets set to take on the Timberwolves, he could be in line for a big game as Minnesota is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 63.64% of their games. This figure places them 29th among NBA defenses. On the other side, Karl-Anthony Towns leads the Timberwolves in scoring, averaging 24 points across his 77 games. Throughout the season, Towns has outscored his season average in 49.0% of his outings. However, if he hopes to add to this total, Towns will need to do so against a Clippers defense that has been tough on their opponent’s top scorers. So far, leading scores have surpassed their season average at a rate of just 42.86%. This figure is good for a rank of 5th in the league.

Matchup Analysis

The Timberwolves come into this game as the more efficient offensive team, averaging 110.6 points per 100 possessions. When playing as the superior offensive unit, Minnesota is winning at a rate of 68%. These wins are coming by an average margin of 16.0 points. On the other side, the Clippers hold the advantage on the defensive end of the floor. So far, they have played 29 games as the better defensive team, picking up 15 wins.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves have met up for 4 games. In their last meeting, Minnesota picked up a 122-104 win.

How the Public is Betting the Clippers vs Timberwolves

67% are betting the Timberwolves against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 218.5

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
• Timberwolves are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves get set to host the Los Angeles Clippers in a 7/8 matchup of the NBA play-in tournament. Between the two teams, Los Angeles enters as the hotter unit, winning their past 5 contests. On the other side, the Wolves have won just 4 of their past 6 games, but still come in as 3 point home favorites. For the year, the Clippers were 18-13 with Paul George in the lineup compared to just 24-27, without their top scorer. Look for Los Angeles to pick up the road win, and lock down the 7th seed for the first round.