These two will engage in their regular season series finale while tied 1-1, and someone’s losing skid will end. Who will go back to the win column and also capture this season’s head-to-head?

Catch the game tomorrow at 11:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: LA Clippers (33-30, 15-14 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Russell Westbrook
  • Paul George
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Marcus Morris
  • Ivica Zubac (day-to-day) / Mason Plumlee

We are looking at a pissed off Clippers team. They are losers of back-to-back despite having a considerably good performance on both occasions – one was an absolute 176-175 (2OT) shootout against the Sacramento Kings and the other was a gritty, close-comeback opposite the Denver Nuggets, where they also lost in overtime, 134-124.

While many thought Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are about to go on a “load management” vacation because of the extended minutes they played in, it seems like they aren’t. The two are expected to suit up tomorrow. Leonard, in particular, has been hot, averaging 38.5 points on 68.3% shooting over his last two. Here’s another plus: the duo was a combined 11-for-39 from the floor in their lone game versus the Timberwolves this season, and they still won by 11.

Russell Westbrook will be in his third game as a Clipper. He’s chipping in 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals per on 56.5% shooting so far. Ivica Zubac, meanwhile, is still day-to-day due to a calf injury, making second-stringer Mason Plumlee a temporary starter. The 32-year-old has 7.8 points and 7.8 boards in four games with the Clipps.

The Clippers are just 2-5 in their last seven games ATS.


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AWAY: Minnesota Timberwolves (31-32, 11-18 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Mike Conley
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Kyle Anderson
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Rudy Gobert (day-to-day) / Naz Reid

The Timberwolves are have dropped three-straight and have alternated wins and losses in the nine previous games. They looked good against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, but eventually fell to the Dubs’ timely shooting, 109-104.

The team’s man in the middle, Rudy Gobert, is currently listed as questionable for the contest due to an illness. Having posted 18 points and 17 rebounds in his last meeting with the Clipps, his presence is a key. Back-up Naz Reid, however, has some momentum going. He had 30 points, nine boards, five steals, and four threes against the Warriors.

Nevertheless, All-Star guard Anthony Edwards (24.7 PPG) ought to step his game up. He only has 12.0 PPG on a rough 38.1% shooting in two games facing the Clipps this season. Such a struggle was also present on Monday, where shot just 5-for-19 and turned the ball over five times.

They Timberwolves are 4-6 their last 10 games ATS, including three losses in a row. They are scoring 117.6 PPG in that span with a -2 net rating.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Clippers (-6) win and cover the spread

Over/Under: Basing it off on the high-scoring Clippers games as of late, going over (233) sounds good.


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