Already locked in to eighth place in the Western Conference standings, the Clippers closed out their schedule with a crushing 138-88 win over Oklahoma City. In addition to setting a franchise record by claiming victory by 50 points, Sunday’s rout also marked the club’s fourth win by double-digit margins during a 5-0 run. The seventh-place Timberwolves are coming off a 124-120 loss to Chicago, dumping them to 4-6 straight up in their past 10 outings.

The line has fluctuated since opening with the T-Wolves favoured by 2.5, but with the support of 58% of sports bettors, Minnesota has improved slightly to 3-point chalk. The Clippers have dipped to +127 moneyline underdogs. The total has dipped from 231.5 to 230.5, with 57% of the betting action backing the OVER.

Clippers vs. Timberwolves NBA Play-In Tournament Odds

Tuesday night’s matchup at Target Center marks the fifth meeting of the season between these clubs. The Clippers claimed victory in three of four regular season clashes, including back-to-back wins by double-digit margins in Minnesota in early November. Overall, the Clippers have topped the Timberwolves in 10 of 13 dates, and are 5-1 in their past six visits to Minnesota. However, LA is winless in three straight versus the T-Wolves as road underdogs. The OVER has paid out in three of this season’s four matchups, with the total topping 230 on two occasions, and the Clippers twice scoring at least 126 points over that stretch.

The Clippers set a franchise record for most points scored in a regular season game with a 153-119 win in Milwaukee in their last road contest. However, the win came with both teams resting their stars, and is not indicative of the club’s overall performance on the road. LA lost six of its final eight road dates to end the regular season with a 17-24 away record, worst among the top 10 teams in the West.

The T-Wolves opened 2022 with on a 14-2 run at home, but have lost three of five while allowing at least 121 points on four occasions, contributing to their current 2-8 against the spread swoon. However, Minnesota enters the postseason as the highest scoring team in the NBA after averaging 116.0 points per game during the regular season, fueling a season-long 50-32 run for the OVER.

Los Angeles Clippers

Paul George has steadily rounded into form since returning in late March from a lengthy absence due to injury. George recorded his sixth double-double of the season in Saturday’s 117-98 win over Sacramento, tallying 23 points and 12 assists. The playoff veteran also played a key role in LA’s march to the Western Conference final last season, racking up 26.9 points and a career-best 9.6 rebounds in 19 games.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have plenty of work to do to flip the script on a woeful postseason track record. The club has made just one playoff appearance since 2004, when they also recorded the only playoff series wins in franchise history. However, they enjoy a 9-3 record over their past 12 playoff home dates, including a 6-1 record as betting favourites. In addition, the T-Wolves should benefit from the return of D’Angelo Russell, who was sidelined for the past two games by an unspecified illness.

NBA Play-In Prediction: Who Will Win Clippers vs. Timberwolves?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Paul George 24.32
Assists	Paul George 5.68
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 8.47
FG%	Isaiah Hartenstein 62.6
Steals	Paul George 2.16
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.22

MIN

Points	Karl-Anthony Towns 24.57
Assists	D'Angelo Russell 7.08
Rebounds	Karl-Anthony Towns 9.82
FG%	McKinley Wright IV 66.7
Steals	Anthony Edwards 1.46
Blocks	Karl-Anthony Towns 1.12

LAC

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 25.17
Assists	D'Angelo Russell 6.67
Rebounds	Karl-Anthony Towns 10.83
FG%	Jordan McLaughlin 70.6
Steals	D'Angelo Russell 1.5
Blocks	Karl-Anthony Towns 2

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Timberwolves Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Paul George 24.32
Assists	Paul George 5.68
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 8.47
FG%	Isaiah Hartenstein 62.6
Steals	Paul George 2.16
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.22

MIN

Points	Karl-Anthony Towns 24.57
Assists	D'Angelo Russell 7.08
Rebounds	Karl-Anthony Towns 9.82
FG%	McKinley Wright IV 66.7
Steals	Anthony Edwards 1.46
Blocks	Karl-Anthony Towns 1.12

LAC

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIN

Points	Anthony Edwards 25.17
Assists	D'Angelo Russell 6.67
Rebounds	Karl-Anthony Towns 10.83
FG%	Jordan McLaughlin 70.6
Steals	D'Angelo Russell 1.5
Blocks	Karl-Anthony Towns 2

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

Paul George (SF)

Out indefinitely Illness - 15 / 04 / 22

Luke Kennard (SG)

Out Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 22

Paul George (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Nicolas Batum (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Norman Powell (SG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Luke Kennard (SG)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 06 / 04 / 22

Nicolas Batum (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22

Paul George (SF)

Out Fri Rest - 01 / 04 / 22

Minnesota

Naz Reid (C)

Out Fri Personal - 29 / 04 / 22

Taurean Prince (SF)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 04 / 22

Taurean Prince (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 12 / 04 / 22

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 09 / 04 / 22

D'Angelo Russell (PG)

Prob Tues Illness - 07 / 04 / 22

Malik Beasley (SG)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22

Malik Beasley (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22

Malik Beasley (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22

Jordan McLaughlin (PG)

Prob Sun Quadricep - 26 / 03 / 22

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Paul George (SF)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 15 / 04 / 22	0-0	0-0	+ -
George has been added to the league's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return.
Luke Kennard (SG)	Out Fri	Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Kennard is nursing a sore right hamstring, and he will not be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference Play-In versus the Pelicans.
Paul George (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
George will not take the court for Sunday's matchup with the Thunder as he will be given a day of rest.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Morris Sr. will not be active for Sunday's clash with the Thunder as he will receive a day of rest.
Nicolas Batum (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Batum is battling left ankle soreness, but it is expected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Jackson has been assigned a day of rest and will not suit up against the Thunder on Sunday.
Norman Powell (SG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-1	1-2	+ -
Powell will not dress for Sunday's game with the Thunder as he will be handed a day of rest.
Luke Kennard (SG)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 06 / 04 / 22	3-1	1-3	+ -
Kennard missed the previous game with a sore hamstring, but it is projected that he will face the Kings on Saturday.
Nicolas Batum (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22	4-1	2-3	+ -
Batum is hindered by left ankle soreness, but he is likely to lace up for Sunday's clash with the Pelicans.
Paul George (SF)	Out Fri	Rest - 01 / 04 / 22	4-2	3-3	+ -
George will not dress for Friday's clash with the Bucks as he will be given a day of rest.

Minnesota

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Naz Reid (C)	Out Fri	Personal - 29 / 04 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Reid is tending to a personal matter, and he will not be available for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Grizzlies.
Taurean Prince (SF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 04 / 22	3-2	2-3	+ -
Prince is battling inflammation in his right knee, but it is projected that he will face the Grizzlies in the Game 2 of the Western Conference first round.
Taurean Prince (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 12 / 04 / 22	3-3	3-3	+ -
Prince is battling inflammation in his right knee, but it is projected that he will face the Grizzlies in the Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 09 / 04 / 22	3-4	4-3	+ -
Beverley is bothered by right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will dress for Sunday's clash with the Bulls.
D'Angelo Russell (PG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 07 / 04 / 22	3-5	5-3	+ -
Russell is dealing with hamstring soreness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Clippers.
Malik Beasley (SG)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22	3-5	5-3	+ -
Beasley has a sprained left ankle, but it is projected that he will be available for Thursday's contest against the Spurs.
Malik Beasley (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22	3-6	6-3	+ -
Beasley is tending to an ankle injury and it is unclear if he will take part in Tuesday's contest versus the Wizards.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22	4-6	7-3	+ -
Beverley has missed the previous two games due to a left ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will lace up for Thursday's matchup with the Spurs.
Malik Beasley (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22	4-7	7-4	+ -
Beasley is managing a left ankle injury, but he will be available to take on the Rockets on Sunday.
Jordan McLaughlin (PG)	Prob Sun	Quadricep - 26 / 03 / 22	5-8	8-5	+ -
McLaughlin is dealing with a left quad contusion, but it is likely that he will play against the Celtics on Sunday.