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Clippers take on Love, Wolves in Twin Cities

Nov 20, 2013 - 3:37 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Clippers will try to get back into the win column on Wednesday night when they start a short road trip at the Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Clippers had won four straight until a 106-102 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. On this quick jaunt east, the Clippers will meet the Wolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Against the Grizzlies, L.A. overcame an early deficit, but couldn't keep it going in the end. The game was tied after three quarters, but Memphis held the Clips to only 21 points in the fourth.

"They hit first tonight," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "But in the games we hit first, not physically hit, but established the pace and the way you're going to play, we've won those games. In the games that they've dictated it, they've been close but they've won most of them."

Monday's game marked the 21st time the two teams met in the last two seasons, including the playoffs. The Clippers hold an 11-10 advantage and Monday's game a got a little chippy when Memphis' Tony Allen kicked Chris Paul in the lip and got ejected late in the first quarter.

It didn't stop Paul from matching Magic Johnson's NBA record most games with double-figure points and assists to open a season. Paul had 18 points and 11 assists for his 11th consecutive double-double.

Blake Griffin also had a double-double with 23 points and 11 assists. J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes also scored in double figures and DeAndre Jordan pulled down 16 rebounds.

The Wolves have alternated wins and losses over their last six. They fell to the Washington Wizards in D.C. on Tuesday night, 104-100, and in the process, squandered a 12-point halftime lead.

"We needed to play consistent. We didn't. We came out in the third quarter and we didn't play together as a team," said Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman. "It really hurt us. It opened up an open court game for them."

The T'Wolves didn't score 20 points in either of the final two quarters as they were on off night for one of the league's best offenses. Minnesota only shot 43.5 percent from the field.

It was another spectacular night for Kevin Love in his push for MVP. He scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Love is second in the NBA in scoring and third in rebounding.

"That dude is amazing. I told him, 'You need to teach me bro,'" joked Washington forward Nene, hoping to get some of Love's magic touch.

Corey Brewer, Nikola Pekovic, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and J.J. Barea all scored in double figures for Minnesota.

The Clippers beat the Wolves, 109-107 on Nov. 11 and have taken six straight in this series. L.A. has won three straight in Minneapolis.