| Tim-ber! Clips Cut Down Wolves Authored by Graham Flashner - February 25, 2005 - 4:45 am
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But the underachieving Wolves, beset by a bewildering loss of team chemistry and diminished skills, are the most disappointing team in the NBA this year. After last year’s 58-24 finish, they were expected to contend for an NBA title. This year, with the roster largely intact, they’re in danger of missing the post-season.
All their problems were on display at Staples Center, where the Clippers ran out to an early 24-8 lead and held on for a 92-86 victory. The Clippers, coming off a blowout loss in Phoenix, came out with intensity and passion. The Wolves, perhaps rusty after a seven-day layoff, and with their injured floor leader, Sam Cassell, playing only ten minutes, came out missing shots and committing turnovers. Not that the Clippers were in any mood to sympathize, with Kerry Kittles, Marko Jaric and Shaun Livingston all sidelined. They made 12 of their first 18 shots, led by 9 at halftime, and never trailed.
The Clippers’ passion extended into the stands, where a free-for-all incited by two young women captivated the crowd for two minutes of the third quarter. The crowd barely noticed Latrell Sprewell’s breakaway dunk that cut the Clipper lead to two points, but order was soon restored. The brawling fans were ejected and arrested, along with Minnesota’s rally.
It was another banner night for Elton Brand, who won his duel with Kevin Garnett. Brand had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots, while Garnett managed only 14 points. Corey Maggette added 23, Rick Brunson had 10 assists in 33 minutes, and Chris Kaman, playing with ferocity under the glass, grabbed 10 rebounds and helped hassle Garnett into a 6-16 shooting night. Kaman’s back-to-back shots late in the fourth quarter frustrated a 10-2 run by the Wolves that saw them close to within 74-72 with less than four minutes remaining. Just when it appeared as if the Clippers were headed for another late-game collapse, Kaman muscled up a shot over two defenders, and then flipped in a lay-up off a nifty feed by Brunson. A step-back 20-foot jumper by Bobby Simmons sealed the victory with just under a minute left, but it was Kaman’s gritty work that impressed Coach Mike Dunleavy.
“When he takes his time and makes his move without [rushing shots], that’s when he’s at his best,” Dunleavy said of Kaman. “He showed a lot of patience tonight.”
It was the kind of performance that only seems to come at home, and Kaman was unable to explain why. But he admitted to being tired toward the end of the road trip, and agreed with Dunleavy’s assessment. “I did take my time a lot more than I usually do, and it worked out well for me,” said Kaman.
The game worked out nicely for the Clippers as well. They’re now 18-10 at home and still hopeful that the Lakers, whom they trail by 5 ½ games for the final playoff spot, aren’t yet out of reach.
“To come home and beat a team directly ahead of us in the playoff race is a good feeling, “said Brand. “We’re not giving up – there’s still a lot of time.”
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