Butler carries Wolves in 4th to outlast Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves guard forward Jimmy Butler (23) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
MINNEAPOLIS — Jimmy Butler scored 20 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, Taj Gibson added 20 and the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers 112-106 on Sunday night.
The Wolves overcame a season-high 30 points from Austin Rivers, who matched his career best with seven 3-pointers. Rivers’ final 3-pointer gave L.A. a 92-91 lead with 6:54 to play before Butler scored nine in a row to send the Clippers to their third straight loss.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota for his NBA-leading 19th double-double of the season.
Minnesota led for most of the game but couldn’t manage a serious run, mostly due to Rivers’ shooting. Rivers hit three 3-pointers in the final five minutes of the first half to keep the Clippers close. He had a career-high 20 points in the half.
The back and forth continued for most of the second half, and a couple of Minnesota defensive lapses that led to easy layups and a wide-open dunk by Montrezl Harrell to give Los Angeles an 84-83 lead with 9:12 to go.
Rivers’ seventh 3-pointer gave the Clippers a one-point lead, but Butler took over from there, hitting a free throw, 3-pointer and short jumper before converting a 3-point play to give the Wolves some breathing room.
Minnesota has beaten the Clippers three straight times.
TIP-INS
Clippers: Coach Doc Rivers said F Danilo Gallinari (strained left glute) would play 3-on-3 and could be close to returning. “He’ll play in the next couple, two to three games will be my guess,” Rivers said. Gallinari, who’s averaging 12.8 points, missed his 13th game due to the injury. … Rookie Jamil Wilson and C.J. Williams made their first career starts. Wilson finished with nine points and Williams five. … Lou Williams had 23 points off the bench.
Timberwolves: F Nemanja Bjelica missed his sixth straight game since spraining his left foot. He’s dressed for the last four games. … Jamal Crawford scored 12 points in his first game against his old team. Crawford played five seasons for the Clippers.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Timberwolves: At Memphis on Monday night.
