Free NBA Pick: Clippers vs. Timberwolves NBA Odds
Looking for LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Clippers taking on the Timberwolves on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 at Target Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Clippers -Timberwolves matchup.
2022 NBA Play-In Handicapping
(42-40) LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36)
Date: Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
Time: 9:30 PM EST
Venue: Target Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Clippers +139 | Timberwolves -143 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Timberwolves -3.5
NBA Betting Total: 230.5
Tuesday, April 12th, the LA Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves play a one-game match to decide who will claim the seventh seed and play the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The loser will host a one-game elimination match versus the winner of the 9-10 play-in game for the right to play the Suns as the eighth seed.
LA won the 2021-22 regular-season series 3-1 with all three victories occurring n November on the 3rd (126-115), 5th (104-84), and 15th (129-102), while the Wolves won the last match on January 3rd (122-104).
This is the first time these two clubs have ever met in the postseason.
LA Clippers
In the four-game 2021-22 regular-season series, the Clippers averaged 115.8 points shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from the perimeter, and 46.3 rebounds.
Head coach Tyronne Lue kept his team engaged all season despite the absence of star Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing in only 31 games due to an elbow injury.
Three of the four games versus the Wolves occurred in November so George was available and averaged 25.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.
The Clippers struggled offensively ranking 25th (109.5) on the season but improved post All-Star with George returning to rank 16th (115.1) overall.
Nic Batum (ankle) was upgraded to probable while Luke Kennard (hamstring) left the last game and is questionable for Tuesday. Jason Preston (foot) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) are out indefinitely. Jay Scrubb (toe) is lost for the season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves averaged 105.8 points shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from the perimeter and 40.5 rebounds in the four games versus the Clippers this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns put up All-NBA-worthy stats this season with 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks, and shot 41.0 percent on 4.9 perimeter attempts.
KAT wasn’t as effective scoring an average of 15.3 points versus the Clippers but was strong in other areas averaging 9.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals in the three games he participated in versus LA.
Wolves head coach Chris Finch implemented major changes to the team’s philosophy and systems which resulted in a vast improvement defensively ranking 13th this season.
Offensively, the Wolves big 3 can put up points with any team showcasing that prowess, particularly after the All-Star break when they ranked third (119.7) overall.
D’Angelo Russell (illness) was upgraded to probable with everyone else on the roster healthy and ready to go.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Minnesota is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of the Clippers’ last 9 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 5 games.
- The Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
- The Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Free LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Prediction:
Minnesota has a major advantage on the offensive glass where they rank sixth (11.2) while the Clippers rank 26th (9.1). Additionally, the Wolves rank first in points scored off turnovers (19.8) whereas the Clippers rank dead last (10.9).
Two other areas the Wolves excel in are fast break (15.2) and second chance (14.8) scoring where they rank fourth and fifth respectively. That points to the need for the Clippers to be extra careful with the ball and to crash their defensive glass to quell those advantages.
X-factors could play a big role for both sides with Patrick Beverley being the guy on the Wolves side while Norman Powell has championship experience and is known to show up in big games.
Ultimately, the Clippers, and particularly Ty Lue have the overall experience on their side so the question is whether the younger Wolves can push that tension from their minds and channel an effort similar to what the young Grizzlies did last season to the Warriors.
The Clippers aren’t exactly road warriors having posted a 17-24 record and were 5-5 after the break. But in a one-game match, there are numerous Clippers who’ve been in that pressure cooker playoff environment and I think they win what will be a closely contested battle.
Meanwhile, I think the Wolves will win a play-in game — just not this one.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Clippers +3
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