Minnesota Timberwolves (4-2) beat LA the Clippers (1-4) 127-101 at home on Friday, October 30. The final margin was 26 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 34-24 and a 10-point lead after one. The Timberwolves kept the pressure on with a 35-32 second quarter, carrying a 13-point lead into halftime.
The Timberwolves won the third 29-25 to create some separation, taking a 17-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 29-20; the Timberwolves finished the job for a 127-101 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 62.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 48.2% for the Clippers. The Timberwolves took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11% of possessions compared with 16.9% for the Clippers. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Clippers did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 22.4 against 7.3. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 100 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 126.7 points per 100 possessions to 100.7 for the Clippers.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 51-38.
Who stood out
Jaden McDaniels was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 23 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast on 11-15 shooting. His Game Score of 23.7 led everyone. His team was +22 with him on the floor.
Isaiah Jackson led the Clippers with 10 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 4 blk on 3-6 shooting, good for a 17.5 Game Score.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Timberwolves about a 75% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 5-2.
The Timberwolves are now 4-2, and the Clippers are 1-4. The Timberwolves last five before this game: W-W-W-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.