Clippers vs Timberwolves Betting Odds & Prediction: LA Dangerous Dog In Minny

The Los Angeles Clippers (42-40 SU, 41-41 ATS) enter the play-in tournament with plenty of momentum, closing the season with a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS run. They also won three of their four regular-season meetings with the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36, 42-38-2), who are playing just their sixth postseason contest since 2004.

Clippers vs Timberwolves Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Los Angeles was favored in all four regular-season meetings, but it’s the Timberwolves who opened as 3.5-point chalk for this play-in contest. Some sportsbooks had moved Minnesota down to a 3-point favorite by Monday night, and it won’t be a surprise to see the line move even more toward the Clippers before tipoff.

Get the best Clippers vs Timberwolves odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Clippers Have Won Six Of Last Seven But Could Be Without Key Reserve

Not many thought the Clippers would get here after missing Kawhi Leonard all season and being without Paul George for more than half of it. But LA managed to tread water most of the year and then turned things on down the stretch, going 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its final seven games to carry a ton of momentum into the play-in tournament.

The Clippers have been getting it done at both ends of the court, scoring at least 121 points in four of their last seven games while holding three of their last four opponents to 100 or less. LA punctuated the end of the regular season with a 138-88 dismantling of Oklahoma City, the largest margin of victory in franchise history.

Although LA sat Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell and George for the regular-season finale, the blowout of the Thunder may have come at a price. Backup guard Luke Kennard tweaked his hamstring during a 20-point outing and his status for tonight is worth checking before you make your Clippers vs Timberwolves prediction.

Timberwolves Lacking Momentum Going Into Rare Postseason Appearance

Tonight marks just the sixth postseason game the Timberwolves have played in the past 18 years, and the first since Minnesota lost 4-1 to Houston in the Sportsbook round of the 2018 playoffs.

The Wolves opened March with a 10-1 SU and ATS run that had them in position to earn a top-six spot in the West and avoid the play-in tournament, but Minny went 4-6 SU and 2-8 ATS the rest of the way to finish two games behind sixth-place Denver.

D’Angelo Russell officially missed Sunday’s season-ending 124-120 loss to Chicago due to non-COVID illness, but he likely would have sat the game out anyway alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and wasn’t listed on Minnesota’s injury report for tonight.

The Wolves did not play any of their starters in the second half but still nearly rallied from a 28-point deficit, drawing within a point of the Bulls with two minutes left. Despite the absence of Minnesota’s top scorers, the Wolves went OVER the total for the 26th time in their last 35 as a favorite.

Clippers vs Timberwolves Pick & Insights

Clippers: Keys To Cover

Los Angeles should be oozing with confidence after the strong close to the season and the Clippers’ veteran cast has a big advantage over Minnesota when it comes to postseason experience. LA’s bench could also be a big factor after outscoring Oklahoma City’s reserves 52-8 on Sunday.

Timberwolves: Keys To Cover

Home court should help, but Minnesota’s young players will likely have to overcome some early jitters in this rare postseason appearance. The Timberwolves’ mediocre defense means they may need to score 120-plus points to win this game, so you may want to consider parlaying Minnesota with the OVER in your Clippers vs Timberwolves prediction.

Odds Shark’s Computer Clippers vs Timberwolves Prediction: Timberwolves -3

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