Timberwolves vs Clippers prediction NBA · Wednesday, December 2
At a glance
The LA Clippers (1-3) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) on Wednesday, December 2 at 10:30 PM ET at Intuit Dome in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Timberwolves a 66% chance to win and projects a 114-109 score (Timberwolves – Clippers), about 223 total points. This season, the Clippers are 1-1 at home and the Timberwolves are 2-1 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-3 for the Clippers and 3-2 for the Timberwolves (current streaks: Clippers L3, Timberwolves L2). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 29% of cases according to the model. Fatigue: the Clippers and the Timberwolves played the night before (back-to-back). Reported injuries: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers), Max Strus (Clippers), Brandon Ingram (Clippers) and Bradley Beal (Clippers)…. Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Timberwolves are favored, but the gap isn't huge. The model projects Clippers 109 – 114 Timberwolves, a margin of about 5.2 points in favor of the Timberwolves and a total around 223 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Clippers and the Timberwolves played yesterday: fatigue often shows in the fourth quarter. The Clippers will be without Yanic Konan Niederhauser or Max Strus (and 3 others). The Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards or Donte DiVincenzo. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (+0.4 vs +5.2 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Clippers need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Timberwolves' offense (118.7 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
MINLAC
Players to watch
Timberwolves
Anthony EdwardsG · #533.2pts / game
LaMelo BallG · #16.6assists
Rudy GobertC · #2712.2reboundsClippers
Darius GarlandG · #1021.5pts / gameDarius GarlandG · #106.5assists
Rui HachimuraF · #286.0reboundsRecent form
MIN
131-106W
115-93W
117-94L
127-125 OTL
119-114LAC
122-110W
121-96L
125-117L
108-101L103-87Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
LAC
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| MIN | LAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-2 | Record | 1-3 |
| 118.7 | Points scored / game | 112.0 |
| 112.6 | Points allowed / game | 111.5 |
| +5.2 | Adjusted margin / game | +0.4 |
| L2 | Current streak | L3 |
| 3-2 | Last 10 games | 1-3 |
| 2-1 road | Home / road record | 1-1 home |
| 49-33 (+3.4) | Last season | 42-40 (+1.1) |
| Yes | Played yesterday | Yes |
Injury report Timberwolves
Injury report Clippers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.