The Los Angeles Clippers (20-15) and Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Timberwolves are 2.5-point favorites over the Clippers on the spread (Wolves -2.5), with the over/under set at 214.5 total points. Minnesota is a -135 favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Clippers vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Monday night.
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Picks, Prediction
Spread
The spread is a pass for me at Wolves -2.5, even though the current standings point to the Clippers being the better team. My power ratings still have the Timberwolves ahead of the Clippers, and the underlying data suggests Minnesota has a distinctive perimeter edge in this matchup, which we cannot rule out.
Moneyline
I'm much more intrigued by the moneyline, which FanDuel lists at -135. The Timberwolves are on a three-game losing streak, and the Clippers could be the perfect opponent for them to face, considering they're only 2-8 straight up in the last 10 meetings.
Over/Under
Although I have a slight lean to the over based on my model projection of 217 points, the total is 2-8 to the under in the last 10 games in this series, with the previous two meetings staying under a combined total of 200 points. Therefore, I refuse to take the bait here with the current total at 214.5.
My Pick: Timberwolves Moneyline (-135)
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 214.5 -110 / -110 | +115 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 214.5 -110 / -110 | -135 |
- Clippers vs. Timberwolves spread: Timberwolves -2.5 (-110)
- Clippers vs. Timberwolves over/under: 214.5 total points
- Clippers vs. Timberwolves moneyline: Clippers +115, Timberwolves -135
- Clippers vs. Timberwolves best bet: Timberwolves ML (-135)
My Timberwolves vs. Clippers best bet is on Minnesota moneyline at -135, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Preview
The Clippers snapped a two-game losing streak with a lopsided 131-105 victory over the Hawks. Kawhi Leonard made his season debut, playing 19 minutes and finishing with 12. While it's possible Leonard's return gave the Clippers some boost, the organization will likely continue to be cautious about reintegrating the six-time All-Star back into the team.
"We're still easing me into the game," Leonard told reporters following the win. "We're on nobody's timetable…And we'll keep moving the same way until I'm able to build up my minutes."
Given the Timberwolves' recent dominance in this series, it would be natural to assume that the oft-injured Leonard wasn't available for many of those games. However, a closer look reveals that Leonard missed only four of the last ten meetings against the Timberwolves.
In the six games he did play, the Clippers still managed to go only 2-4, so we know there's a chance he could have even less of an impact in this game due to his minutes restriction.
I must admit being startled to see Los Angeles as a three-point underdog despite having a better record (20-15) against a .500 Minnesota team (17-17). After all, the Clippers are coming off a dominant win, and you'd have to think the mood is a bit better around the team with Leonard back in the mix.
However, this handicap is all about the threat the Timberwolves can pose from the perimeter. In each of the two meetings against the Clippers this season, Minnesota made five more 3-pointers than Los Angeles, averaging 15.5. While the Clippers rank fifth in opponent 3-point field goals allowed (12.8), they have struggled to stop the Timberwolves.
As good as the Clippers are at defending the perimeter, Minnesota is even better, ranking fourth in the category and allowing 12.6 3-point field goals per game. Moreover, in the two meetings, the Timberwolves held Los Angeles to 10.5 3-pointers per game — two fewer than the Clippers' season average of 12.5.
Both teams are similar in that they're good defensively and tend to play slowly. Given the Timberwolves are slightly better offensively, this matchup suits their skill set.
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Best Bets, Predictions
Given the information we have on Leonard likely being on a minutes restriction, it makes sense to target him in a same game parlay paired with a Timberwolves victory.
Bet365 lists Leonard's rebound + assist prop at 6.5. While he exceeded that number in 61 of 70 games last season, he stayed under that projection in his previous three meetings against the Timberwolves.
The rebounds + assists combo is particularly intriguing because James Harden is a ball-dominant point guard. Nonetheless, the Clippers still rank only 24th in assists with 24.5 per game.
With Leonard possibly facing fewer minutes, it's more likely that he'll spend his limited time on the court being aggressive and trying to get into a rhythm with his shot.
As a result, the under in Leonard's rebounds + assists offer value in this spot and the combination with a Timberwolves victory helps boost our odds to +175.
Best Bet: Timberwolves ML (-135)
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Parlay Picks
- Timberwolves Moneyline (-135)
- Kawhi Leonard Under 6.5 Rebounds + Assists (-130)
Parlay Payout: +175
