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One night after one of their biggest wins of the season, the Los Angeles Clippers conclude their three-game road trip Thursday night in Minneapolis, facing the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Clippers will try to avoid a season sweep at the hands of Kevin Love and the gang, as Minnesota has won all three matchups this season.
Love hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Clippers 101-98 on January 20 at Staples Center, then on February 28 the Timberwolves made 13 straight field goals from the end of the third quarter into the fourth to steal another win in Los Angeles, 109-97. Love had 39 points and 17 rebounds in a 95-94 win in Minnesota on March 5.
Chris Paul had 31 points Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, including hitting the game-winning shot with 8.8 seconds left to give the Clippers a 100-98 road win over the Thunder, current holders of the best record in the Western Conference. The Clippers are 14-14 away from home this season with five road games remaining. They have never finished at .500 or better on the road since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. The Clippers' best road record in L.A. was their 20-21 mark in 2005-2006.
The Clippers (35-23) have their second best record in franchise history after 58 games, trailing only the 1974-1975 Buffalo Braves, who were 36-22 after 58 games en route to a 49-33 season.
Minnesota was 21-19 at one point this season, but have lost 15 of their last 19, including seven in a row, thanks to a barrage of injuries. Point guard Ricky Rubio has been out since March 9 with a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Love is out indefinitely with a concussion, and center Darko Milicic has missed six straight games with a strained right hamstring and is doubtful for Thursday night.
Thursday's 5 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and notes on Clippers basketball, be sure to read Clips Nation.