Preview: Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Clippers begin a five-game trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Clippers’ starting point guard Chris Paul will be out Monday, missing his third straight game because of inflamed rib cartilage. The Clippers may be down another starter in J.J. Redick, who is listed as questionable because of a sprained right ankle.

At least the team will be starting its trip on a positive note after beating the Orlando Magic on Saturday, 103-101, in the final game of a six-game homestand.

In Saturday’s win, the Clippers trailed by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter before going on a 13-0 run to take a three-point lead with just over two minutes remaining. They were playing without Paul and Redick, but in those players’ absence Jamal Crawford and Wesley Johnson had big performances.

Crawford, who had been struggling with his shot as of late, led the Clippers with 32 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Johnson had a season-high 21 points off the bench.

“When guys get hurt, we have to have that next guy mentality,” Blake Griffin said. “Whoever is next has to fill that void, and guys did that [Saturday].”

The Timberwolves (8-11) have lost three games in a row. The Clippers (11-9) have won four of their last six games.

The Clippers have won 13 straight games against the Timberwolves, including a 107-99 win over the Timberwolves at Staples Center on Nov. 29. In that game, Griffin had 26 points, Paul had 20 and Redick had 18.