We have ourselves an matchup between one under, and one overachiever, in the Western Conference. The Minnesota Tomberwolves are hosting the Los Angeles Clippers at the Target Centre. The Wolves are under pressure with four straight losses in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Clippers have found a new identity this season. The Head Coach Ty Lue has put a big emphasis on the defensive end of the floor. The LA Clippers are playing hard and have made a habit of keeping their opponents under a 100 points. In the Clippers last five wins none of their opponents have scored more than 100 points on them.The Clippers defeated the Wizards in their last game, 121-96. They got blown out by The Celtics in the game before that one (94-126). With six wins in the last seven games the vibes are immaculate currently with the LA Clippers. Kawhli Leonard is still missing due to injury.
A lot of the Clipper players deserve credit. Like Norman Powell who scores like never before. Ivica Zubac is grabbing rebounds on a high level. He is putting up double doubles on a regular basis. The Clippers signed Derrick Jones Jr from Dallas in the off season and the forward has been very useful for the Clippers with his versatility on the defensive end of the floor. James Harden has been very solid as the point guard. Harden is dishing out dimes.
With four straight losses and only one three wins in their last ten games the Wolves currently sit at the 12th spot in the Western Conference. That is pretty far from good enough for a team that played in the Western Conference finals last season. The Wolves have lost to Toronto (105-110), Boston (105-107), Houston (111-117) and Sacramento (104-115) in their current losing streak. Most of these games were close as you can see and the poor clutch offence that they have is costing them at the end of close games.
The Wolves have been so bad lately that their own fans have turned around at some of the players. Like Donte DiVincenzo for example. Something that Anthony Edwards has been criticising publicly. The undersized point guard rookie sensation, Rob Dillingham, is logging more and more minutes to the expense of DiVincenzo. This game is a must win for Minnesota. They must end the losing streak.
MINNESOTA VS LA CLIPPERS
1.53
TOTAL (INCL OVERTIME) - UNDER 222.5
