The Clippers have accustomed their fans to harboring big ambitions since the arrival of the George-Leonard duo in the summer of 2019. But their repeated injuries have been accompanied by frustration in the playoffs, between the stunning loss once morest the Nuggets in the Orlando “bubble” in 2020 (4-3 following leading 3-1 in the conference semifinals) and the conference final lost to the Suns without Kawhi Leonardaffected in the knee, in 2021.
This 2021/22 financial year was once more accompanied by its share of injuries since with the white season of Kawhi Leonard, a long convalescence of Paul George was quickly added, hit in the elbow.
Despite these circumstances, Tyronn Lue’s men managed to pull through and qualify for the Play-in in a conference that was less competitive than in the past. The return of Paul George in extremis reshuffled the cards and gave some momentum to the Clippers, who finished 8th. They will have to perform an “upset” to try to snatch their place in the playoffs on the floor of Wolves with long teeth.
For Minnesota, it was somewhat the opposite pattern that happened since Chris Finch’s troops navigated uncertainty for a long time following a 2020/21 season ended in 13th place in the West. The first two months were difficult and the results were still negative at the start of 2022 (16v-20d). And then the click happened.
To read: presentation of the “play-in” Brooklyn – Cleveland
D’Angelo Russell found colors to support a Karl-Anthony Towns for his part irreproachable, and Anthony Edwards confirmed his status as a future star of the league, giving these Wolves a much more conquering face, with the help of “role players”, enhanced by the arrival of Pat Beverley.
The fate of these two franchises will therefore be decided on this first match, with an advantage for Minnesota which will play at home and in full, before a potential second shock in stride for the loser of this confrontation.
PRESENTATION OF THE WOLVES
Holders: D. Russell, P. Beverley, A. Edwards, J. Vanderbilt, K. Towns.
The substitutes: J. McLaughlin, L. Bolmaro, J. Nowell, M. Beasley, N. Knight, J. Okogie, J. Layman, T. Prince, J. McDaniels, N. Reid, G. Monroe.
No absentees.
The coach: C. Finch.
Extended on Monday, Chris Finch has found the right formula since the start of 2022, allowing Karl-Anthony Towns to be able to “rest” on two lieutenants, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards.
The group will present itself in full and with a bench likely to weigh on this first match, between the sniper Malik Beasley, the defensive pair Okogie-Prince or the hyperactive Naz Reid. To see the option that the Wolves coach will choose between a Russell-Beverley doublet or a pure leader accompanied by Malik Beasley and Anthony Edwards on the outside positions, as he has sometimes done this season, in order to have a rotation more “natural” with a Pat Beverley coming off the bench to boost the “second unit” and the Nowell-Okogie-Prince trio to secure the 2-3 positions.
The strong point
– Karl-Anthony Towns. The Wolves pivot has not given up and still displays a line of stats close to his career best. What has changed the situation is that he is now better surrounded and above all more regular. He behaves like a leader, and remains the main threat. He might also take advantage of a rotation just a bit at post 5 on the Clippers side to dominate.
The weak point
– irregularity. What we might also call the ardor of youth for this group whose average does not exceed 25 years. This is what makes this first meeting so uncertain, as Wolves have shown that they are capable of the best and the worst, especially at the end of the regular season. On this point, the impact of D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards will be decisive, because it is on their level that Karl-Anthony Towns will also depend in terms of opportunities. The game can completely open, or conversely the trap can close on him if his little comrades are not there. Regularity is the next step displayed for this Minnesota team in this configuration.
PRESENTATION OF CLIPPERS
Holders: R. Jackson, P. George, M. Morris Sr, N. Batum, I. Zubac.
The substitutes: T. Mann, R. Hood, L. Kennard (incertain – ischios), R. Covington, A. Coffey, N. Powell, I. Hartenstein.
The absents : K. Leonard.
The coach: T. Lue.
The Clippers have had an exemplary season in view of the mishaps encountered, and Tyronn Lue has a lot to do with it. Since the playoffs, the Californian coach has succeeded in instilling a “commando” state of mind in his group, which has been able to reinvent itself to remain competitive.
The returns of Paul George and Norman Powell in the wake boosted the morale of the troops. As it stands, this team can obviously afford the scalp of Wolves in Minnesota, with the Jackson-Mann-Covington trio in particular as potential X factors.
The strong point
– Two returns that matter. Paul George’s last outing with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists in three quarters confirmed that he was at his best. The All-Star rear / winger notably distinguished himself with a beautiful exterior address, a sign that his elbow no longer hurts him. Alongside him, the return of Norman Powell also gives Tyronn Lue more leeway, since he has a real offensive leader off the bench. Two boosts that might give wings to a group that has fought hard all season to ensure its presence in the top 10.
The weak point
– A limited racket. With a pair of Morris-Batum 3-4 positions to ensure the “stretch four” position (or even Robert Covington) and a Zubac-Harteinstein doublet to manage position 5, the Clippers should expect to be targeted in this sector of game, with Karl-Anthony Towns as the main threat.
THE KEY TO THE MATCH
– Anthony Edwards. With Josh Okogie, Taurean Prince, even Pat Beverley, the sophomore will be entrusted with the defense of public enemy number 1, Paul George, author of a reassuring return to five games at the end of the regular season. Defending once morest such a player for his very first career postseason game is the kind of challenge that should motivate him. However, it is difficult to know how he will react in this new environment, with more pressure, knowing that he is also still showing irregularity in attack. But if it is the Anthony Edwards of the good days, the mission promises to be complicated for the Clippers.
REGULAR SEASON
LA Clippers 3-1
November 3: Minnesota – LA Clippers (115-126)
November 5: Minnesota – LA Clippers (84-104)
November 14: LA Clippers – Minnesota (129-102)
January 3: LA Clippers – Minnesota (104-122)
VERDICT
MINNESOTA. The atmosphere promises to be hot in Minneapolis, which has only hosted two playoff games in the last 17 seasons. This is undoubtedly a key element in this very balanced opposition. The Clippers are, of course, on a good dynamic with the return of Paul George, but the Wolves, who have long flirted with sixth place, will have their destiny in their hands. Especially since the winner will challenge the impressive but very young Grizzlies in the first round, while the loser will then have to fight to challenge the Suns, defending finalists and more impressive than ever.
HOURLY
At 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday evening.
