The Los Angeles Clippers (6-17) travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-8) in a Northwest Division tilt that underscores the Clippers’ early-season malaise against the Wolves’ steady climb toward contention. L.A., mired at 13th in the Western Conference after a grueling road trip, seeks to leverage its star duo in a bounce-back effort, but Minnesota—solidly 6th in the West with a four-game win streak—thrives at home (7-3) and boasts the league’s top defensive rating (3rd at 107.2 points allowed per 100 possessions). With the Clippers’ backcourt decimated by injuries and the Wolves’ perimeter defenders primed to swarm, this could manifest as a physical, low-possession grind favoring Minnesota’s length and transition game (11th in fast-break points). Anthony Edwards’ explosion meets Kawhi Leonard’s quiet efficiency in a matchup ripe for defensive stands and second-chance opportunities.
Game Information
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Capacity: 19,356; Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves since 1990, located at 600 1st Ave N in downtown Minneapolis; features state-of-the-art video boards and a raucous Wolves fanbase)
Broadcast: Bally Sports North (Timberwolves), Bally Sports SoCal (Clippers), NBA TV national; Streaming on NBA League Pass; Radio on KFAN 100.3 FM for Wolves fans
Officials: To be announced (NBA assigns crews 24 hours prior)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Home/Away Split | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 6-17 (.261) | 4-11 West | 3-8 Home / 3-9 Away | 7-15-1 | 10-13 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 14-8 (.636) | 9-5 West | 7-3 Home / 7-5 Away | 12-9-1 | 11-12 |
The Clippers rank 26th in net rating (-4.8), while the Timberwolves sit 4th (+6.2), leading the NBA in opponent FG% allowed (44.2%).
Recent Team Forms
The Clippers snapped a skid with a road win but remain turnover-prone (14.8 per game, 26th), while Minnesota’s balanced attack (26.7 APG, 3rd) fuels their surge.
Los Angeles Clippers (1-4 in last 5 games):
Dec 3: W 115-92 @ Atlanta Hawks (defensive masterclass; held Hawks to 35.8% FG, Leonard 24 points)
Dec 1: L 123-140 @ Miami Heat (outscored in transition 22-12; 18 turnovers)
Nov 29: L 110-114 vs. Dallas Mavericks (clutch loss; Harden 28 points but 6 TOs)
Nov 28: L 107-112 vs. Memphis Grizzlies (poor shooting 42.7% FG; outrebounded 48-39)
Nov 25: L 118-135 @ Los Angeles Lakers (routed; allowed 52% from three)
Clippers average 112.5 PPG (23rd) but yield 117.5 PPG (25th), with road games hitting the Over in 7 of 12.
Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1 in last 5 games):
Dec 2: W 149-142 @ New Orleans Pelicans (OT thriller; Edwards 38 points, 7 threes)
Nov 30: W 125-112 vs. San Antonio Spurs (efficient 56.3% FG; 17 threes)
Nov 29: W 119-115 vs. Boston Celtics (Edwards’ 30 points/8 assists in comeback)
Nov 26: L 105-113 @ Oklahoma City Thunder (cold from deep at 41.3% FG)
Nov 24: L 112-117 @ Sacramento Kings (solid but edged; 12 steals forced 16 TOs)
Wolves score 120.6 PPG (5th) and allow 115.5 PPG (18th), winning by 5.3 PPG at home.
Injury Report
The Clippers’ injury woes continue to hamstring their depth, particularly in the backcourt, while Minnesota enters relatively healthy with minor G League absences. Latest NBA injury report as of December 5, 5:30 PM ET (subject to shootaround updates):
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| Clippers | Bradley Beal | SG | OUT | Left hip fracture | Dec 30 |
| Clippers | Bogdan Bogdanovic | SG | OUT | Left hip contusion | Dec 6 |
| Clippers | Derrick Jones Jr. | SF | OUT | Right knee sprain (MCL) | Mid-January |
| Clippers | Chris Paul | PG | OUT | Not with team (personal/waived) | N/A |
| Clippers | Jordan Miller | SG | QUESTIONABLE | Back soreness | Dec 6 |
| Timberwolves | Enrique Freeman | SF | OUT | G League two-way | N/A |
| Timberwolves | Rocco Zikarsky | C | OUT | G League two-way | N/A |
Beal’s absence (projected 18.2 PPG) forces more minutes for Harden; Minnesota’s clean bill supports their rotation flexibility.
Key Player Matchups
Minnesota’s elite perimeter defense (1st in opponent 3PT%) will target the Clippers’ guard-heavy offense, while L.A.’s size challenges the Wolves’ frontcourt switches.
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers SF, 23.7 PPG) vs. Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves SF, 12.4 PPG, 1.4 SPG): Leonard’s mid-range mastery (51% FG) faces McDaniels’ length and physicality—he’s held stars to 42% shooting lately. If Leonard isolates, Wolves’ help from Gobert looms.
James Harden (Clippers PG, 24.1 PPG, 8.5 APG) vs. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves SG, 26.8 PPG): Harden’s playmaking (usage 32%) vs. Edwards’ on-ball pressure (1.6 SPG). Edwards thrives in transition; Harden’s 3.2 TO/game could spike under duress.
Ivica Zubac (Clippers C, 11.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG) vs. Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves C, 14.0 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 2.1 BPG): Zubac’s efficiency (65% FG) tests Gobert’s rim protection (league-high 2.1 BPG). Wolves rank 2nd in defensive rebounding; expect a paint battle.
Terance Mann (Clippers SG, 10.5 PPG) vs. Mike Conley (Timberwolves PG, 11.4 PPG, 5.9 APG): Mann’s versatility off bench vs. Conley’s veteran IQ—Clippers’ bench ranks 22nd in scoring.
Bench: Wolves’ Naz Reid for spacing vs. Clippers’ thin depth.
Series History
Minnesota has dominated lately, winning the last four meetings (average total: 215.2 points) amid the Clippers’ struggles. Over 135 regular-season games:
All-Time Record: Clippers 69-66
At Target Center: Timberwolves 35-30
Last 10 Meetings: Timberwolves 7-3
Recent Results:
Jan 6, 2025: Timberwolves 108-106
Dec 4, 2024: Timberwolves 108-80
Nov 29, 2024: Clippers 93-92 (OT)
Mar 12, 2024: Timberwolves 118-100
Mar 3, 2024: Clippers 89-88
Wolves are 6-4 ATS in last 10; Unders hit in 6 of 8 (avg. 212.5 points).
Betting Trends
Timberwolves 8-2 SU in last 10 vs. West bottom-10.
Clippers 2-8 SU in last 10 road; 4-6 ATS as dogs.
Under cashed in 7 of Wolves’ last 10 (line down from 231.5); sharp money on MIN -7.5 (65% handle).
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers 227.5
Minnesota Timberwolves – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
