NBA: Clippers pick up wire-to-wire win versus Timberwolves

April 11, 2013 1:38pm

The playoffs-bound Los Angeles Clippers led from start to finish to dispatch the Minnesota Timberwolves, 111-95, in a one-sided affair Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) at the Staples Center in LA.

The Clippers improved to 52-26, and are fourth in the Western Conference. The eliminated Timberwolves on the other hand fell to 29-49.

It took awhile before the Clippers pulled away fully from their foes, allowing the visitors to get within just two points five times in the second period, the last coming at 42-40 on a JJ Barea shot, 4:29 left in the first half. However, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan scored the last seven points of the quarter, to earn their first double-digit lead, 58-46, entering halftime.

The Wolves made another push in the third, as a 13-4 run made it a three-point game, 69-66, halfway through the period, but LAC closed on another run, 12-2, for an 88-72 advantage with 12 minutes left to play.

There, the home team finally flexed their dominance, leading by as much as 23 points, 104-81 on a Matt Barnes lay-in, as the Clippers reserves were able to close the game out on a flourish.

Seven Clippers scored in double-figures, led by Chris Paul's 19 points, which formed a double-double with his 11 assists. He also managed seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks, in just 31 minutes of action. Blake Griffin also had a big night, with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Willie Green fired in 15 points, nine from downtown.

Nikola Pekovic was the Wolves' top-scorer, managing 20 and five rebounds. Derrick Williams added a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards, plus three swipes, while Alexey Shved and JJ Barea scored 12 apiece off the bench.

The Clippers finished topping 50 percent from the floor (57.1 percent) and beyond the arc (52.4 percent). They also out-assisted their opponents by a 34-to-23 margin. - AMD, GMA News