L.A. Clippers Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 110-106 After Free-Throw Battle

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Monday night after an exchange of free throws between the two teams. DeAndre Jordan helped his team reach a 110-106 come-from-behind victory over the Timberwolves after participating in a big defensive play.

Jordan deflected a short jump shot by Zach LaVine, while Clippers small forward Luc Mbah a Moute contested an ensuing inbounds pass by LaVine, which led to a turnover that gave Los Angeles the ball with a one-point lead and 24 seconds remaining. This marked the second straight victory for the Clippers. “We made this uglier than it had to be, but the good thing about it is we got some stops down the stretch,” said point guard Chris Paul. Paul racked up 14 points, five assists, and five turnovers after his return from inflamed rib cartilage that had left him out for 21/2 games.

J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford managed to combine 11 consecutive free throws for the Clippers in the final 22 seconds, each of which was necessary given the number of fouls the Clippers committed on the Timberwolves in an attempt to prevent them from scoring a tying three-point shot. The Timberwolves successfully made all eight of their free throws during the same time length.

The free-throw exchange finally ended when Timberwolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns intentionally fouled Jordan with just 4.4 seconds left, which granted the Clippers one free throw and the ball. Crawford was fouled after an inbound pass from Redick, and Crawford made his final two free throws to give L.A. a four-point lead.

Blake Griffin got 16 points and 11 rebounds, but made only seven of 17 shots. Kevin Garnett from the Timberwolves earned a technical foul on the third-quarter play for barking something at the Clippers, but Griffin claims he didn’t hear what he said.

LaVine earned 21 points for the Timberwolves, who dropped their 14^th straight game against the Clippers. The game also marked the Clippers’ longest-winning streak against any team in franchise history.

Caption: LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks past Allen Crabbe #23 and Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center on November 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.