Los Angeles Clippers vs Minnesota Timberwolves 4/12/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup Preview (4/12/22)

The play-in games are here, with the playoffs quickly approaching in the rearview! In the second play-in matchup on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves will face off in a Western Conference showdown. The winner will take their rightful spot as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, facing the Ja Morant-led Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. However, the loser will have one more opportunity to make the postseason when they play against the winner of the No.9 seed versus No. 10 seed game, which happens to be between the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs. Whoever secures that game will find themselves as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and will duke it out for a minimum of four games with the Phoenix Suns. There is a lot on the line in this matchup; it represents the highest stakes that either team has had this entire season. In short, it should be a close, tight, and competitive game, mainly because the “Comeback Clippers” are playing, and we have seen massive leads being blown all season.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds

For me, the bottom line in this game comes down to experience and poise. The Clippers have more players than Minnesota that have performed under the brightest lights of the playoffs. Additionally, Los Angeles has won six of its past seven games with ridiculous efficiency on the offensive end. While the T’Woves have been hot since the All-Star break, they are not hotter than the Clippers are right now! I’ll take the Los Angeles Clippers against the spread in this one because they should keep it incredibly close even if they don’t win.

For the point total, I will lean towards the under. I believe the point total more reflects what a regular-season game would look like than a play-in game with playoff implications on the line. Despite the Wolves’ fast pace, I could see the majority of the offensive possessions going deeper into the shot clock. There will be significantly more defense in this matchup, so 230 is a few points too high, in my opinion.

How To Watch

Date: 4/12/22
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Arena: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
Channel: TNT

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Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Paul George
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac

Los Angeles Clippers Analysis

Paul George finally returned to the Clippers’ lineup a few weeks ago after an elbow injury derailed half of his 2021-22 campaign. Immediately, George improved the outlook for the Clippers; since he returned to the court, the Clippers have had the highest offensive rating in the NBA (an excellent 128.8 offensive rating.) Additionally, they have a 6-1 record since his return and have averaged a blistering 127.3 points on a near 51/47/83 team shooting split. The Clippers have ranked sixth in the NBA in defensive rating since the end of March, so they are taking care of business on that end of the floor as well. Sure, Los Angeles has only played seven games in that stretch, but it’s still an extremely dangerous team if it keeps playing at that level. Don’t expect Kawhi Leonard back for the playoffs, but the Clips could have enough firepower to steal a few games in the playoffs. I believe they will win one of the two potential play-in games.

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Anthony Edwards
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Karl Anthony-Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves Analysis

As previously stated, Minnesota has been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the All-Star break. The Wolves have won 15 of their past 23 games since mid-February and boast one of the scariest offenses in the league. Led by Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns, this team can put up points in a hurry, evidenced by a 60-point game KAT had one month ago and the plethora of 40+ point games Edwards has put together in merely his second season in the association. Still, everything with Minnesota comes down to how badly it wants to play defense on the other end of the floor. The lack of experience, poise, and leadership (outside of Patrick Beverley) also scares me. The Timberwolves may win this game or their second against the winner of the No. 9 versus No. 10 game; however, their road will likely stop in the NBA playoffs’ first-round game against the Phoenix Suns.