Play-In Games for the NBA season tip off on Tuesday, April 12 with two games scheduled, so we’re taking a closer look at the Western Conference showdown at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota to get you the best Clippers vs. Timberwolves betting pick and odds.

This is the fifth contest between these teams. Los Angeles has won three of the four meetings between the teams, including winning both games in Minneapolis, so it is a little surprising that the Timberwolves enter as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 231.0 on BetDSI Sportsbook.

Clippers Enter Playoffs Red Hot

The Los Angeles Clippers (42-40; 41-41-0 ATS) won their fifth straight game when they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, 138-88. The victory was the fourth straight holding a team to under 110 points. The Clippers finished 6-4 and their last 10 and were 5-5 ATS in their final 10 contests. Los Angeles is 17-24 on the road.

The Clippers totally dominated the Thunder in the victory, taking a 21 point first quarter lead. Los Angeles shot 55.7% from the field, including 51.4% from three-point range. This is a team that has not been very successful shooting, 21st in the NBA in field-goal percentage (45.8%), however, they have been great from three-point range (third overall at 37.4%) and from the free-throw line (ninth overall at 79.3%).

Amir Coffey scored 35 points and had 13 rebounds in the victory as eight players scored in double digits. Reggie Jackson did not play in the victory, but led the club in scoring at 16.8 points per game. This is a team averaging only 108.4 points per contest, 23rd overall, but they have been solid defensively, 11th in the NBA at 108.4 points allowed per contest. Opponents are shooting 45.0% against the Clippers, sixth overall.

Minnesota Ends Long Playoff Drought

The Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36; 42-38-2 ATS) lost to the Chicago Bulls to close out the season, 124-120. Despite this, the team reaches the playoffs for the first time in what seems like decades. Minnesota went 4-6 over their final 10 games and were 2-8 ATS in their final 10. The Timberwolves are 26-15 at home this season.

It was not surprising that Minnesota dropped their final game, as a number of key players were sitting out in preparation for the playoff contest. Yet, the team still scored 120 points and hit 55.5% of their shots. Minnesota has been an offensive juggernaut this year, first in the NBA in points per game (115.9), despite the fact that the team is just 22nd in field-goal percentage (45.7%) and 12th in three-point shooting (35.8%).

Karl-Anthony Towns has turned into one of the best young players in the league, averaging 24.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He sat out Sunday’s loss, however. Anthony Edwards had eight points in 18 minutes in the loss and is second on the club at 21.3 points per game. What Minnesota does well is take advantage of rebounding opportunities, despite being only 16th in rebounds per game (44.2).

Trends:

Los Angeles:

  • 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
  • 5-1 ATS in their last six contests, scoring more than 125 points in the previous game.

Minnesota:

  • 1-4 ATS in their last five games at home.
  • 0-4 ATS in their last four games.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pick

This is an exciting time for Minnesota, reaching the playoffs for the first time in 2018 and just the ninth time in their 33 seasons. This is a team that has not had a lot of success reaching the postseason, but this is a talented young club that battles hard for every basket.

The problem is that a young club is not used to playoff basketball. The Clippers are an experienced team that has players who have starred in some of the biggest games in the NBA. They know how to win, and that is something the Timberwolves are going to have to learn. The Clippers have won eight of the last 10 meetings between these teams. Make it nine of the last 11.

Pick: Take Los Angeles Clippers at +3.5

The Total:

This is a great battle of philosophies. The Timberwolves try to outscore teams. They enter this playoff game scoring 120 points or more in four of their last five games. Los Angeles needs to slow things down and limit the offensive success of their opponents.

This is playoff basketball now, and this is when defense reins. That favors the Clippers, who have held four straight opponents under 110 points, including the last two under 100 points. Los Angeles also enters on a five-game winning streak and are about to make it six. Look for a total around 225.

Pick: Go under 231.0.