Paul George led five starters in double figures with 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-105 on Sunday night for their eighth win in nine games.
Kawhi Leonard had 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in his return from a four-game absence because of a sore right foot. Fans attending a Clippers game at Staples Center for the first time in over a year saw their team hit a season-high 21 3-pointers.
Anthony Edwards scored 23 points to lead the Wolves, who dropped their sixth in a row on the road. Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He missed five of six 3s.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, passes the bar while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)
The Clippers pulled away in the second quarter, scoring 43 points and hitting 10 3-pointers. They stretched a three-point lead to 23 on Marcus Morris' 3 before Leonard's second 3 of the game sent them into halftime leading 72-53. Morris finished with 19 points.
Los Angeles followed with 32 points in the third when its lead expanded to 38 points — largest of the game — on a pair of free throws by Terance Mann. The Clippers held the Wolves to 16 points in the quarter, when Towns picked up his fourth foul after scoring his lone basket.
The Wolves won the fourth quarter, outscoring the Clippers' reserves, 36-20, but it never made a dent. Minnesota had seven 3s to LA's two.
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, grabs a rebound away from Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)
The Clippers' 21st 3-pointer was made by Malik Fitts, who recently signed a 10-day contract.
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Towns surpassed 9,000 points in his 394th career game. ... Fell to 5-24 on the road.
Clippers: Had at least 20 3s for the third time this season and seventh in franchise history. ... Tied their season high for 3s in a half with 14 in the first. ... Topped 100 points for the ninth straight game. ... Swept the regular-season series, winning by 23, 7 and 19 points.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Visit Sacramento on Tuesday in the first of a back-to-back with the Kings.
Clippers: Visit Portland on Tuesday.
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