• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Griffin outduels Love as Clippers defeat Timberwolves

Feb 17, 2011 - 6:46 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Blake Griffin recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists, as the Los Angeles Clippers took down the Minnesota Timberwolves, 98-90.

The game centered around Griffin and Minnesota's Kevin Love -- the NBA's top two double-double generators. Love tallied 18 points and 18 boards to secure his franchise-record 42nd consecutive double-double, and 51st of the season. Griffin has 46.

Randy Foye finished with 21 points and six assists for the Clippers, who improved to 2-6 on an 11-game road trip. Ryan Gomes chipped in 18 points.

Los Angeles holds a 21-35 record heading into the All-Star break, and also heads into the break with center Chris Kaman back in the fold. He had not played since December 5 because of an ankle injury, but returned Wednesday to score four points in 9 1/2 minutes.

"I just wanted to come out, be patient, take my time," Kaman said. "I rushed a couple shots, but other than that I was pretty patient and was careful."

Wayne Ellington made five three-pointers en route to 18 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who have dropped four straight and 13 of their last 16 overall. They head into the break with a dismal 13-43 mark.

"We've just got to get away from the game," said Minnesota guard Luke Ridnour. "Everyone just needs to refocus, look themselves in the mirror and see what we can do to help this team win some games."

The Clippers led by as many as eight in the first quarter and held a 23-20 edge after 12 minutes.

Minnesota outscored Los Angeles, 22-20, in the second stanza to cut its deficit to 43-42 at the break.

Holding a 49-48 lead early in the third, the Clippers ripped off six straight points. Baron Davis' three-pointer made it 55-48 with nine minutes remaining.

LA went on a 9-0 run moments later to create some distance. Foye tallied the first five points of the surge, which Griffin capped with a jumper and a slam for a 66-52 lead.

It was a 72-62 contest heading to the fourth, and the Timberwolves never got closer than six the rest of the way.

Game Notes

The Clippers won three of the four meetings this season...Los Angeles shot 45.6 percent from the field, while Minnesota made 35.4 percent of its shots.