wolves gameday

9:30 P.M. at L.A. Clippers • Staples Center • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: The 11-5 Clippers — second in the Pacific Division behind 14-2 Golden State — have won four consecutive games and six of their past seven. This is their first game back home from a seven-game, 7,231-mile trip in which their only loss came 107-91 at Memphis. They ended the trip with Saturday's 112-96 at Utah. They also won at Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Detroit and Houston while they were away from Staples Center, where they are 4-2 this season. Their 12.1-point average scoring margin on that trip is the largest on any seven-game trip in NBA history. … The Clippers swept last season's four-game series and have won the past nine between the teams.

Players to watch: Clippers F Blake Griffin is the only player in the NBA who is averaging at least 22 points, seven rebounds and 3.5 assists a game. He is eighth in the league in scoring with a 22.6-point average and is second with nine field goals made per game. … Clippers G Chris Paul leads the league in assists-per-turnover (6.38) and is third in assists with 9.6 a game.

Injuries: Wolves G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle), G Kevin Martin (wrist surgery), C Nikola Pekovic (sprained wrist, ankle) and C Ronny Turiaf (hip) are out. Clippers F Chris Douglas-Roberts (strained right Achilles' tendon) is listed as out.

JERRY ZGODA