Avoiding Super Bowl LX, the NBA features an early, four-game slate on Sunday. The Los Angeles Clippers (24-27) and Minnesota Timberwolves (32-21) will cap off the day with a 3:00 p.m. ET tip-off on ESPN.
After trading PG James Harden, Los Angeles is shorthanded against a dangerous Timberwolves squad that’s 5-2 in its last seven games. Will the Clippers rebound from a 1-2 stretch over their last three?
Below, we’ll make a Clippers vs. Timberwolves prediction and over/under pick for Sunday, followed by some top player projections on PrizePicks.
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Clippers vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Timberwolves have dominated this head-to-head with a 9-1 record over the last 10 games, winning five consecutive collisions. The under is 8-2 in the previous 10 matchups.
Both squads are 4-6 against the spread (ATS) over the last 10 games.
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Over/Under, Spread
In line with the under trend, Sunday features a low 223.5 total. The Timberwolves tout a +4.7 average scoring margin (seventh), but can they elevate it to cover today’s 8.5-point spread?
Los Angeles is a 8.5-point road underdog, returning a 3.44x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks with an outright win. Minnesota yields a 1.26x payout with a home victory as favorites.
- Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -8.5
- Over/Under: 223.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Clippers 3.44x | Timberwolves 1.26x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Injury Report
Let’s have a look at the full Clippers vs. Timberwolves injury report for Sunday’s matchup, via NBA.com.
Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report
- PG Darius Garland (toe): OUT
- C Isaiah Jackson (trade pending): OUT
- G-F Bennedict Mathurin (trade pending): OUT
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- G Terrence Shannon Jr. (foot): OUT
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Prediction on Over/Under
Clippers PG Darius Garland is still out with a toe injury, meaning his Los Angeles debut will have to wait. L.A. also sent C Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for G-F Bennedict Mathurin, C Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick. Mathurin and Jackson could make their debuts this week but will be held out today.
Los Angeles is shorthanded without Harden and Zubac. The veteran guard’s 25.4 points per game (PPG) was second on the team, and he led with 8.1 assists per game (APG). Zubac averages a double-double, posting 14.4 PPG and 11.0 rebounds per game (RPG).
Since the trades, the Clippers have logged only 102.5 PPG over two games. According to NBA Advanced Stats, Minnesota is 10th in defensive rating and allows a 53.3% effective field goal percentage (seventh).
Dunks & Threes gives L.A. a 42.4% 3-point shot distribution (13th), but the Wolves surrender a 39.0% mark (fifth). Plus, Harden led the Clippers by launching 8.8 triples per game.
Rounding out a potential low-scoring bout, Minnesota is 10th in shot distribution around the rim. Los Angeles is fifth in shot distribution around the rim allowed while ceding 47.8 points in the paint per game (ninth).
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Picks for PrizePicks Today: Sunday, February 8
Clippers G Jordan Miller could take advantage of increased usage, and Timberwolves G Donte DiVincenzo has a nice matchup from beyond the arc for projections on PrizePicks.
Clippers G Jordan Miller vs. Timberwolves Projection: 11.5 Points
- When Harden and Zubac are off the court, Miller sees the third-largest increase in usage rate on the team (+3.6%), via FantasyLabs.
- Harden was out on February 1 and 2, leading to the third-year guard posting 20.5 PPG in the split.
- In four games without the former MVP in the lineup, Miller has recorded 26.3 minutes per game — surpassing his average of 19.8 for the season.
- Led by 13.3 PPG in February, the Miami product’s role may remain relevant with Harden and Zubac off the team.
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Timberwolves G Donte DiVincenzo vs. Clippers Projection: 3.5 Made 3-pointers
- The Clippers possess a strong interior defense, but they cede a 42.2% 3-point shot distribution (19th), 13.6 made triples per game (19th), and a 36.8% mark from beyond the arc (23rd).
- Minnesota features a balanced offense, proven by its 42.7% shot distribution from deep (12th).
- DiVincenzo ranks second on the team with 8.1 attempted triples per game.
- He’s averaged 4.0 made 3-pointers per game this month, reaching at least 5 made triples in two of three appearances.
- The Wolves G boasts a blistering 52.2% 3-point percentage in February, smashing his 39.0% season-long mark.
Make Clippers vs. Timberwolves Picks on PrizePicks
Will the Timberwolves roll against an undermanned Clippers squad? Los Angeles is without two of its top three producers now that the trade deadline dust has settled.
Make your Clippers vs. Timberwolves picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 34 states.
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