Match time: 2021-11-04 08:00
Injury Information:
Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell – Core Guard (indefinitely), Patrick Beverley – Bench Guard (Daily Watch), Jaylen Noel – Bench Guard (Daily Watch)
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard - Core Small Forward (Indefinite), Marcus Morris - Starting Forward (Daily Watch), Serge Ibaka – Bench Forward (Daily Watch), Jason Preston – Bench Guard (Indefinite), Keane Johnson – Bench Guard (Daily Watch)
With Leonard sidelined indefinitely due to injury, the Clippers went into George's single-core lead mode. The absence of major players such as Morris and Ibaka will further shorten the Clippers' rotation and reduce the overall competitiveness of the team. The absence of Russell and Beverley's two point guards has caused the Timberwolves to suffer a serious shortage of manpower in the No. 1 rotation.
Comparison of achievements:
Minnesota Timberwolves: 6-4 in the last 10 games, 3-3 in the regular season
Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 wins and 3 losses at home in their last 6 games, with a recent 3-game losing streak
Los Angeles Clippers: 3-7 in the last 10 games, 2-4 in the regular season
Los Angeles Clippers: 0-3 in the last 3 away games, 2 consecutive losses in the regular season
Head-to-head record:
In the last 4 meetings, the Clippers have achieved a record of 3 wins and 1 loss. In the last game, the away Timberwolves defeated the Clippers 128-100.
Schedule Impact:
Both teams were given 2 days to rest.
Offensive Stats:
Minnesota Timberwolves: 1. Shooting percentage (51.6%) 2. Three-point shooting (40%) 3. Assists (32) 4. Fast-break scoring (30) 5.Secondary offense (14) 6.Penalty area scoring (62)
Los Angeles Clippers: 1. Shooting percentage (41.8%) 2.Three-point shooting rate (26.3%) 3.Assists (26) 4.Fast attack score (11 points) 5.Secondary offense score (14 points) 6.Penalty area score (48 points)
Judging from the offensive data, whether it is outside projection or inside the basket, the Timberwolves have an overwhelming advantage. Thanks to the fiery offensive feel, the Timberwolves created more open opportunities by moving the ball, resulting in more assists.
Defensive stats:
Minnesota Timberwolves: 1. Rebounds (50) 2. Blocks (3) 3. Steals (11) 4. Mistakes lead to scores (15 turnovers, -14) 5.Opponents lose points due to secondary offense (14 points) 6.Fouls (20)
Los Angeles Clippers: 1.Rebounds (44) 2.Blocks (9) 3.Steals (8) 4.Scores (19 turnovers, -26) 5.Opponent's second offense caused his side to lose points (14 points) 6.Number of fouls (21)
Not only did the Timberwolves do a good job of rebounding protection, but the overall defense was more aggressive. They forced the Clippers to make mistakes and then played a defensive counterattack with a high success rate.
Average data per game:
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Score: 103.2
Rebounds: 46
Assists: 23.2
Three points: 31.6
Error: 16.7
Los Angeles Clippers:
Score: 102.2
Rebounds: 42.7
Assists: 23
Three points: 32.4
Errors: 12
Tiger Punch Rating:
Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell (9.6), Carl Anthony Downs (9.7), Anthony Edwards (9.5)
Los Angeles Clippers: Terrance Mann (9.4), Luke Kennard (9.3), Ivitsa Zubac (8.6)
With Leonard and George both absent, the Clippers' second team, led by Kennard and Mann alone, was unable to beat the Timberwolves. While Kennard and Mann had a good performance, the Timberwolves' three cores played better.
Tactical Prediction:
Minnesota Timberwolves: Recently, the sluggish Timberwolves suffered two consecutive defeats, the last game was a 18-point loss to the Eastern Conference Weak Brigade Magic. In this game, facing the Clippers with solid defensive skills, the Timberwolves need to take advantage of their advantages. Towns, who sits on the inside line, is the strong point of the team, and head coach Finch is bound to develop some tactics around Downs to block and dismantle singles. Due to Russell's injury absence, Beasley, who was originally the sixth man on the team, will most likely be mentioned in the starting lineup to fill Russell's vacancy. In this way, the Timberwolves' second team lacks a strong scoring point, and it is difficult to maintain offensive firepower in the transition period of player rotation.
Los Angeles Clippers: Last game, relying on George's outburst in the second half, the Clippers eventually beat the Thunder 99:94 to win their second game of the season. In this game, in the internal player alignment, the Clippers are definitely on the unfavorable side. Neither Zubac, the starting player, nor Hatten on the bench, could get a bargain on Downs. On the defensive line, both Bledsoe and Reggie have been in poor form recently and are not in a position against Edwards and Beasley. Therefore, if the Clippers want to win, the play of the forward players mainly George and Batum is the key. The team's sixth-man Kennard's pick-up in form is good news for the Clippers.