The Minnesota Timberwolves will go in search of their first win of 2025 when they entertain the challenge of the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center on Tuesday.
While the hosts have made a rocky start to the New Year, the visitors managed to claim their first win last time out and now have their sights set on consecutive victories.
Match preview
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After their journey to the Western Conference finals last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced their return to championship contention and were billed as one of the favourites to go all the way as at the start of the current campaign.
The decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo came as a surprise to many, although fingers remained crossed to see how Chris Finch's men would fare with added pressure on them.
Following a topsy-turvy opening couple of matches, the Timberwolves looked to have got themselves back on track with six wins from seven games between November 30 and December 16, but that would prove to be only a temporary reprieve.
The Timberwolves are 3-6 since then, and Sunday's 119-105 defeat to the Detroit Pistons largely underlined how far away they currently are from the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics.
Sitting 10th in the conference standings, the TWolves currently run the risk of missing out on automatic qualification for the playoffs, especially with a good number of teams ahead of them starting to pick up results.
Nonetheless, Tuesday's hosts will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways here given their recent record against the visitors, who have been beaten in each of the most recent three meetings.
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The Los Angeles Clippers started 2025 with two offensive eyesores in their defeats to the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder but were back to their best in Sunday's 131-105 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks.
A sizzling first-half display at both ends of the court saw Tyronn Lue's men rack up 74 points to go into the interval with a commanding 20-point advantage, which they added to courtesy of a relentless second half.
Guard Norman Powell continued his amazing campaign with yet another 20-point performance and was one of eight Clippers players in double digits, largely facilitated by James Harden's game-high 15 assists.
While Kawhi Leonard only featured in a limited capacity on his return to action from a knee problem, his comeback is a huge boost for the Clippers, who have done well to sit seventh in the Western Conference without their star man.
In the first of two road games against fellow playoff contenders, Tuesday's visitors will be keen to avoid a third away defeat of 2025 before heading to the Ball Arena to face off against a rejuvenated Denver Nuggets outfit.
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Team News
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Rob Dillingham is still out of contention with a sprained ankle that has sidelined him for each of the last six games, but the rookie is expected to return to the fray over the next week or two.
Luka Garza is also nursing an ankle problem and is ruled out for the home side, while Josh Minott remains a huge doubt off the back of missing the defeat to the Pistons through illness.
Kawhi Leonard's return to the court is the biggest talking point for the Clippers ahead of this one after the forward was handed 19 minutes of action in his season debut last time out.
The 33-year-old is likely to have his minutes restricted once again as he works his way back up to full fitness after a lengthy period of absence due to a knee problem.
PJ Tucker will not play any part for the away side here having been cut out of the rotation since October, although there are no guarantees he will be moved on before the February trade deadline.
Minnesota Timberwolves possible starting five:
Conley, Edwards; McDaniels, Randle; Gobert
Los Angeles Clippers possible starting five:
Harden, Dunn; Powell, Leonard; Zubac
We say: Timberwolves to win by 4+ points
While the Timberwolves have been solid defensively, giving up 108 points per game, which is the fifth-lowest in the NBA, their offensive output has been a letdown on many occasions.
That said, we can see them rising up to the occasion here to give their fans reason to cheer when all is said and done.
Adepoju Marvellous
