Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Clippers: A Preview for January 7th

The Minnesota Timberwolves (/team/16/timberwolves) are set to host the LA Clippers (/team/12/clippers) at Target Center (/venue/2029/target-center) in Minneapolis, MN on January 7th. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make a statement early in the season.

Timberwolves Looking for Home Court Advantage

The Timberwolves are coming off a disappointing 2024-25 season, and they'll be looking to bounce back in a big way. The team is led by the explosive scoring duo of Anthony Edwards (/player/4594268/anthony-edwards) and Karl-Anthony Towns (/player/3136195/karl-anthony-towns). However, they'll need to find more consistency on both ends of the court to be a contender.

The Timberwolves will be hoping to use home court advantage to their benefit. Target Center has been a tough place for opposing teams in recent years, and the Timberwolves' passionate fans will be hoping to see their team come out on top.

Clippers Aiming for a Strong Road Start

The Clippers are another team with high expectations heading into the season. They have a strong core, led by the veteran duo of Paul George (/player/4251/paul-george) and Kawhi Leonard (/player/6450/kawhi-leonard). The Clippers are known for their tough defense, but they also have the offensive firepower to compete with any team in the league.

The Clippers will be looking to start their road schedule off strong, and they'll be hoping to take advantage of a Timberwolves team that might be struggling to find its footing.

Injury Updates

The Clippers will be without P.J. Tucker (/player/3033/p.j.-tucker) who is out with a non-injury related issue. The team is also dealing with some minor ailments, with Mo Bamba (/player/4277919/mo-bamba), Kevin Porter Jr. (/player/4397140/kevin-porter-jr.), Derrick Jones Jr. (/player/3936099/derrick-jones-jr.), and James Harden (/player/3992/james-harden) all listed as day-to-day.

The Timberwolves are currently healthy and will be hoping to keep it that way.

Keys to the Game

Can the Timberwolves find their shooting touch? The Timberwolves have struggled to shoot the ball consistently in recent years, and they'll need to find their range if they want to beat the Clippers.
Can the Clippers slow down Edwards and Towns? Edwards and Towns are two of the most explosive scorers in the NBA, and the Clippers will need to do a good job of containing them.
Will the Clippers be able to handle the Timberwolves' pressure defense? The Timberwolves are known for their aggressive defense, and they'll be looking to force the Clippers into turnovers.
Can the Clippers find a way to replace Tucker's impact? Tucker is a key piece for the Clippers, and his absence will be felt. The team will need to find a way to replace his toughness and rebounding.

How to Watch the Game

This game will be televised nationally on ESPN. If you're looking for NBA streams online, be sure to check out our guide on NBA streams. Remember to always stream responsibly and legally.

Prediction

The Clippers are favored to win this game, and it's easy to see why. They have a more experienced and proven team, and they'll be looking to make a statement early in the season. The Timberwolves are a talented team, but they'll need to find more consistency if they want to compete with the best teams in the league.

The Timberwolves have the home court advantage, but the Clippers' experience and the injuries to key players will likely be the difference in this game.

Prediction: LA Clippers win 112-104.