The Minnesota Timberwolves ended a three-game losing streak with a 122-104 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, despite playing without two-thirds of their “big three” lineup due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
In their Monday matchup, the Wolves starting lineup included former Clippers Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards, Jarrett Vanderbilt, and Naz Reid. On the other hand, the Clippers were also shorthanded, missing Nicolas Batum, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.
In the first half, the Timberwolves led 26-21 and 64-46, forcing the Clippers to commit double-digit turnovers and getting 13 points from McDaniels in the first half. During that time, 57.4 percent of the Wolves’ shots came from the field.
Throughout the second half, the Wolves led by at least 15 points and were ahead 85-65 entering the fourth quarter.
Six Timberwolves scored in double figures, including Edwards, who had a game-high 28 points. On 14-of-20 shooting and 6-of-9 shooting from the outside, Taurean Prince and Jaden McDaniels combined for 35 points off the bench. Beverley had 11 points, 12 assists, and two steals, while Naz Reid had 13 points and six rebounds. Malik Beasley also had 11 points.
Serge Ibaka led the Clippers with 17 points, while Justice Winslow tallied 15. Despite this, the team turned the ball over 20 times and shot just 34 percent from the perimeter.
With the win, Minnesota advanced to 17-20 and are in ninth place in the Western Conference with four games remaining before the season’s halfway mark. With a 19-19 record, the Clippers are now in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Patrick Beverley speaks about Clippers
Additionally, Anthony Edwards revealed that the T-Wolves had extra motivation to win the game. After Patrick Beverley was traded from the Clippers to the Timberwolves this offseason, Edwards said that the team plays for Beverley every time they are against the Clippers.
Beverley got warm applause from the Clippers crowd when he was introduced to the game. Steve Ballmer, who is the Clippers’ owner, was also spotted giving his former player a high-five. On the inside, however, Beverley was a fierce competitor, eager to beat his old team, which had beaten the Wolves in three previous meetings this season.
Furthermore, Beverley also seemed more motivated in this game, and while he plays hard regardless of the opponent, he put extra effort into showing off his playmaking abilities here.
“I wanted to come out here and pass the ball. One of the reasons the Clippers was always looking for another guard, cuz they said I wasn’t a playmaker, so I wanted to set the tone with that tonight,” Beverley said after racking up 12 assists.
Beverley added that he feels his toughness and attitude are sometimes overlooked until he is no longer there. Thankfully, that was not the case with Minnesota, as the team gave him more room to be himself.
“It’s always when I go to the other team, that’s when you see my work with how the team is now,” Beverley said. “It is what it is. What I do is very underappreciated, but the Timberwolves appreciate it, and that’s all that matters.”
Beverley, similar to what he had done in Los Angeles, has changed the Timberwolves’ atmosphere. Minnesota won 23 games out of 72 last season. They’ve already surpassed 17 this season, and the All-Star break has yet to arrive. They’re firmly in contention for a playoff berth, which is becoming increasingly likely as the season unfolds.
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