MINNEAPOLIS —
There was no hiding from the significance of this game against the best team in the Western Conference.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a thorn in the Clippers’ basketball world this season, using their immense size and defensive prowess to thwart L.A. in the first two meetings, the last a 21-point beating.
But Sunday presented the Clippers an opportunity to stand up to the Timberwolves, which L.A. did during a tense and tight 89-88 win in front of a noisy, packed house that included Clippers owner Steve Ballmer at Target Center.