Game #13: Clippers(8-4) vs Timberwolves(6-8)

[Det the Threat]

After winning against the defending champs, the Dallas Mavericks, on a late three pointer by Mr. Big Shot, the Clippers will have one day off and host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday evening.

The Wolves are one of the more improved teams of this young season, having won six of their first fourteen and are a highlight reel waiting to happen, with spanish rookie sensation Ricky Rubio controlling the offense from the point guard position.

The Clippers will play their fourth game in five nights and would love to have Chris Paul back, who's missed all three of their back-to-back-to-back games this week.
If they can't get him back they'll have to rely on former All-Star and Finals MVP Chauncey B-B-B-Billups as well as 6thman of the year candidate Mo Williams, who had a great comeback against the Mavs, to man the point guard position.


Injury Report

Clippers
Eric Bledsoe - out
Chris Paul - questionable
Brian Cook - questionable

Timberwolves
Michael Beasley - questionable
Malcolm Lee - out
Brad Miller - out
Martell Webster - out



When and Where?
Friday, January 20th, 7:30 p.m. PT, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
This game will be broadcasted by




Starting Lineups:

Los Angeles Clippers


Minnesota Timberwolves



Bench Mops

Los Angeles Clippers


Minnesota Timberwolves



Team Leaders


Blake Griffin 21.3 PPG & 11.8 RPG
Chris Paul 8.4 APG & 2.8 SPG
DeAndre Jordan 3.1 BPG


Kevin Love 25.2 PPG & 14.5 RPG
Ricky Rubio 8.3 APG & 2.3 SPG
Darko Milicic 0.9 BPG



Key Matchup


Blake Griffin

vs


Kevin Love

Love is a double double machine and racks up rebounds like a mad man. Blake will have his hands full trying to keep him off the boards(especially the offensive boards) and also needs to try to get him in some foul trouble, if they do decide to put Love on him.


Our lucky charm for for this one

German model Lena Gercke

Five Questions:

Who will win the rebounding battle? Blake or Love?
Will DJ keep up his play against Milicic and those other centers?
Will Butler bounce back?
Can we contain Rubio and his passing?
Does Vinny have any other plays then pick and rolls in his repertoire?


Discuss and Go Clips Go!!!

[LOJ]

Damn these Wolves are already 2 games away from .500. Ricky Rubio is the real deal, but I wouldn't mind Paul sitting this one out.

[theGreatRC]

Hey guys, wolves fan here, but i've seen almost every Clippers/lakers game since i'm a SoCal resident and I gotta keep an eye on the home town teams.

First of all, I want to say that is an awesome game thread, i'm jealous.

I'm so excited for this game and I hope CP3 gets to play, it'll be a big test for Rubio to go up against the best PG in the league and Blake vs Love should be a fun matchup.

I have a feeling DeAndre is going to record more than 7+ blocks against the wolves, maybe 3 or 4 alone on Ricky since he gets swatted often when he takes it to the rack against athletic bigs.

Can't wait to finally watch this game on ESPN, it's probably the first game we've gotten on ESPN in a good year and a half I think.

[Leor_77]

Who would have thought that a Clippers/Wolves game would be must see TV for the average NBA fan 2 or 3 years ago?

[Leor_77]

Hey guys, wolves fan here, but i've seen almost every Clippers/lakers game since i'm a SoCal resident and I gotta keep an eye on the home town teams.

First of all, I want to say that is an awesome game thread, i'm jealous.

I'm so excited for this game and I hope CP3 gets to play, it'll be a big test for Rubio to go up against the best PG in the league and Blake vs Love should be a fun matchup.

I have a feeling DeAndre is going to record more than 7+ blocks against the wolves, maybe 3 or 4 alone on Ricky since he gets swatted often when he takes it to the rack against athletic bigs.

Can't wait to finally watch this game on ESPN, it's probably the first game we've gotten on ESPN in a good year and a half I think.

I really like Rubio. I knew he was going to be good before the bandwagon/hype thing started this year when I saw him working out (and playing pick-up ball with elite NBA talent) in my gym over the summer/off-season. I also really like K. Love, although he usually has some problems containing Griffin (most players do). Should be a good game.

[TheNewEra]

Important game for both teams we need to stack as many wins as possible before the road trip.

[mj_shoefanatic]

I will be in the building for this one. Hopefully CP is available and can play in limited min and we get are 8th win of the young season @ home. However, I do feel that we can still win even without Paul and am so glad Cook is not playing/injured.

[mkwest]

Eric Bledsoe has practiced with the team this week. He says that he could probably play right now if the team would clear him. He could potentially be back in a week.

[areg789]

Eric Bledsoe has practiced with the team this week. He says that he could probably play right now if the team would clear him. He could potentially be back in a week.

Good news

[mike3]

Love to see Bledsoe back in a action, even if CP3 does come back soon

[jflipclip]

I wonder if Foye is ahead of a healthy Bledsoe.

Anyways, should be an entertaining game to watch with Rubio in town and how we disappear at times when guarding a pick and roll.

[illastrate]

Any word on CP3 for tonight? Sounds like he looked good shooting around

[LOJ]

I have some serious concerns.... We needed Mo to have a near perfect game and chip in 26 points from the bench, and a miracle 3 by Billups to win last game.

Blake needs to start playing like himself again, he can't be missing so many free throws. I hope he got all the rest he needed.

[azncorruptedo17]

Free throws will always kill us.... =\

Wish i can go to the game, this would be a deng fun game!! i remember going to this one last year where bg ended his double double streak vs love... i hope he has some revenge up his sleeve =X

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I think as long as we can defend and rebound against the Twloves we should be fine. If CP3 plays in this one it should be a big boost. And I have to say I'm not used to us getting this many games on National TV. It's nice to be noticed

[Leor_77]

I have some serious concerns.... We needed Mo to have a near perfect game and chip in 26 points from the bench, and a miracle 3 by Billups to win last game.

Blake needs to start playing like himself again, he can't be missing so many free throws. I hope he got all the rest he needed.

No need to be concerned. I like Minnesota, but we beat Dallas without CP3. Paul's long term health is more important than ANY regular season game.

[illastrate]

Dan Woike @DanWoikeSports #Clippers: Chris Paul likely out Friday http://t.co/Ug2orTfT

Dan Woike @DanWoikeSports #Clippers hoping Paul can return Sunday afternoon against Toronto

Really wanted to see CP3 vs Rubio tonight, but his return is very near, so that's great news.

[Klomp]

No need to be concerned. I like Minnesota, but we beat Dallas without CP3. Paul's long term health is more important than ANY regular season game.

We beat Dallas too.

[Klomp]

This is Minnesota's first game west of Minneapolis. Will be interesting to see how they respond. A homecoming for Derrick Williams.

[azncorruptedo17]

i just hope we don't fall victim to the rubio/williams quick spin alleyoop ... they've done that so many deng times, they better stop it! lol