Clippers Find Support for Run

Eric Piatkowski raced almost gleefully behind the three-point line in the second half Wednesday at Staples Center, shooting holes in whatever defense the Minnesota Timberwolves threw at him and the Clippers.

See what a day of preparation will do for you?

The Clippers, and Piatkowski in particular, spent Tuesday’s practice readying themselves for Minnesota’s aggressive match-up zone. After an all-too-predictable period of adjustment in the first half Wednesday, the Clippers shredded the Timberwolves’ three-two zone and their man-to-man defense.

Piatkowski scored a season-high 24 points and the Clippers recorded a 94-75 victory over Minnesota before a crowd of 16,335. Critical to the Clippers’ second consecutive victory was a 12-2 run late in the third quarter. Piatkowski contributed a layup and two three-point shots during the charge.

Once up 62-45 in the closing moments of the third period, the Clippers experienced their familiar wobbles down the stretch. But they held stronger than in recent games, maintaining a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.

“As we grow, as we mature, we’re going to have quarters like that,� Piatkowski said after making nine of 14 shots, including five of six threes. “When we’ve gotten up big on teams, I don’t know if it’s our immaturity or what, but we get a little too ‘Showtime’ and the lead slips away. We don’t want to give teams a chance.�

After a lackluster start by each team, the Clippers closed out the Timberwolves like they have no team this season. A five-minute stretch in the pivotal third quarter was as strong as the Clippers have played all season.

Minnesota, playing its second game in 24 hours, had no such shows of dominance and fell with a thud for the second straight night. The Timberwolves began a three-game trip 10-2, but have losses to the Seattle SuperSonics and the Clippers going into Saturday’s game against the Lakers at Staples.

“I’m really pleased,� Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said. “This was our best win by far this year, and against a quality team. The only way to attack this team is to be really aggressive. I thought in the second half we were really aggressive and we didn’t allow them to get set in their zone and that worked for us.�

Piatkowski had a big night shooting, but he did not overshadow his teammates. Several Clippers had hands in the victory, starting with power forward Elton Brand. His streak of 20-point games ended at 10, but he still had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Center Michael Olowokandi scored only seven points, but took 12 rebounds in a season-high 40 minutes. Backup guard Quentin Richardson had 14 points on five-of-seven shooting, which included four of five on three-pointers.

And Lamar Odom had six points, nine rebounds and nine assists in his first start since being reinstated last week after serving an eight-game drug suspension. Odom also made his debut as a point guard, moving from small forward after Jeff McInnis took a rest in the first half.

“I’m another playmaker on the court,� Odom said. “We’ve got one point guard, but with me out there, too, we’ve got two on the court at the same time. We’ve got Piatkowski and Richardson to shoot it. I don’t have to go out there and shoot 30 times a game to help this team win.�

In the third quarter, contributions came from up and down the Clipper roster. Shrugging off an early lethargy, the Clippers built a 48-41 lead after McInnis made two free throws.

Kevin Garnett countered with a jumper for Minnesota, but Piatkowski ignited the Clippers’ surge by making a layup. Garnett’s jumper on the ensuing possession was all Minnesota could manage in the next two minutes.

“The bottom line is that when you play against a zone, you have to make shots,� Gentry said. “They don’t all have to be threes, but they’re going to be perimeter shots. Piatkowski and Richardson made the shots tonight.�