Timberwolves lead Clippers at the half

By Ben Bolch

Jan. 20, 2009 12 AM PT

The Clippers appear in need of a better healthcare plan these days, with nearly as many injured players in suits sitting behind the team bench as able-bodied players dressed for games.

Missing three starters and four of their top six players against the resurgent Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at Staples Center, there was little doubt as to the Clippers’ plan of attack.

“For now we have to try to find ways to steal wins when we can,” said Steve Novak, a reserve forward thrust into a prominent role Monday, alongside a handful of others who usually bide their time on the bench.

When rookie center DeAndre Jordan, making his first career start, converted a put-back to pull the Clippers to within two points with 1 minute 22 seconds left, it seemed as if this might be a game for the taking.

But these being the Clippers, one of only three teams still stuck on single-digit victories near the season’s halfway point, things almost predictably unraveled in the final minute of their 94-86 loss to the Timberwolves.

There was what Jordan acknowledged as “a silly foul” on Al Jefferson’s head fake and bank shot, which Jefferson ultimately turned into a three-point play. There was a turnover and subsequent foul by Eric Gordon that led to two free throws by Randy Foye. And just like that, the Clippers’ chances to amass only their second multi-game winning streak of the season melted away.

“It’s been hard for us down the stretch as you can see,” acknowledged Gordon, who scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half as the Clippers nearly wiped out a 12-point third-quarter deficit.

It’s been especially difficult for the Clippers (9-31) at the end of close games considering who they are missing.

Forward Marcus Camby, who suffered a sprained left ankle Saturday against Milwaukee, remains probably about a week away from returning, Coach Mike Dunleavy said. Guard Baron Davis (bruised tailbone) and forward Zach Randolph (sore left knee) have resumed running, Dunleavy said, but are also about a week away. Center Chris Kaman (strained left arch) is expected to be out through the All-Star game next month.

“Right now it’s pick-and-choose matchups in the game, who do you want to go at right now, and some guys haven’t been in that position,” Dunleavy said.

The Clippers’ 13th loss in 14 games couldn’t be pinned on Novak, who scored a career-high 18 points, 12 in the first half.

Craig Smith and Jefferson had 20 points apiece for the Timberwolves, who have won eight of their last 11 games and revived their fortunes following a 23-point home loss to the Clippers on Dec. 6 that resulted in a coaching change.

Things have also changed for the Clippers since then, though not in a good way. Are they good enough as currently constituted to win NBA games?

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Novak said. “Even tonight, I feel like if we had just executed a little bit better at certain points, stopped one of their runs a little bit sooner, we could have won this game. There’s been so many games like this. I mean, at Detroit we lose at the buzzer, against Dallas it’s a close game.”

It doesn’t figure to get any easier. The Clippers on Wednesday will face the Lakers, who beat them by 38 points in October and by 18 in November.

[email protected]