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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Things have changed dramatically for the Los
Angeles Clippers, who have learned how to draw a crowd – and hold a
lead.
After blowing most of a 17-point pad, the Clippers fought off
the Minnesota Timberwolves in the closing minutes to take a 111-105
victory Friday night before a franchise-record 10th sellout crowd
of the season.
"If this was earlier in the season, we would have lost the
game," said the Clippers' Eric Piatkowski, who made all five of
his 3-pointers and scored 26 points. "This team has matured a lot.
"When it comes down to the line, we know what to do and whose
hands to have the ball in."
That was Lamar Odom after the Timberwolves closed to 99-95 with
a 13-1 run late in the game.
Odom, who scored 21, hit a 3-pointer to make it 102-95 with 2:24
remaining and Minnesota got no closer than six the rest of the way.
The game drew a noisy crowd of 18,964 to Staples Center. The
Clippers, who played in Buffalo -- as the Braves -- and San Diego
before moving to Los Angeles in 1984, had a previous high nine
sellouts in 1991-92 when their home was the Los Angeles Sports
Arena.
"Our fans have been phenomenal," Piatkowski said. "I think
they're really enjoying watching all these young guys play, all the
energy this team has."
Piatkowski missed just three of 12 shots and was 3-for-3 from the
line. Odom went 8-for-13 from the floor for the Clippers, whose
29-50 record is 14 more wins than they had last season.
Michael Olowokandi had 19 rebounds and 10 points for Los
Angeles.
Los Angeles coach Alvin Gentry was pleased with the victory over
the Timberwolves, who clinched a playoff spot earlier this week.
"That team had everything to play for once again in trying to
get out of the eighth spot and get to the seventh. And once again,
we were just playing to be playing and playing for pride more than
anything," Gentry said.
"I think the one thing we keep emphasizing to our guys is that
we've got to try to establish something to build on for next
year."
Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while
playing 37 minutes, the most time for the Timberwolves on a night
when coach Flip Saunders used his reserves freely.
LaPhonso Ellis added 17 points in the loss.
"You want to go out and give yourself a chance to win, but give
those guys (the Clippers) credit because they played hard,"
Saunders said. "They play with a lot of energy and are a very
explosive team."
With a 17-22 road record, the Timberwolves are the only
playoff-bound Western Conference team with a losing record away
from home. They were 24-17 on the road last year.
"We are giving up way too many points on the road," Saunders
said. "It's always on the road when we give a team opportunities
to make runs on us."
Corey Maggette's 15-foot jumper with 10 seconds left in the
third quarter staked the Clippers to an 84-75 advantage, and they
went on to lead 98-91 with 8:35 remaining before the Timberwolves
closed the gap.
Piatkowski and Odom were sharpshooting in the first half,
scoring 14 points each and missing just three shots between them.
Piatkowski made three 3-pointers and went 5-for-7 from the field,
and Odom missed just one of his seven shots.
The Timberwolves still led 57-55 at halftime, however, with
Garnett scoring 12 points and the Minnesota reserves combining for
27 points, including nine by Ellis.
Game notes
The Clippers have sold out 14 times since they began
playing in Staples Center at the start of last season. ... The
Clippers exercised their fourth-year contract options on Odom and
Maggette and their second-year contract option on Jeff McInnis
earlier Friday. ... Minnesota has won 14 of its last 19 against the
Clippers, but split the season series 2-2.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
LA Clippers Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 113
Orlando 110
Cleveland 97
New Jersey 91
New York 101
Atlanta 65
Indiana 113
Boston 108
Toronto 94
Miami 82
Utah 94
Chicago 83
Dallas 101
Sacramento 97
Denver 108
Golden State 92
Phoenix 109
Seattle 100
Houston 109
Portland 103
LA Clippers 111
Minnesota 105
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