The night before they leave for a six-game trip and right before they play 20 grueling games in 31 days in the month of March, the Clippers encountered a Minnesota Timberwolves team Tuesday night that played as if they had something to prove.
The Clippers had lost the last time they faced the Timberwolves on a last-second three-pointer by Kevin Love, a game L.A. lamented that it let slip away.
This time, the Clippers were unable to offer that explanation, not when their defense was taken apart by Minnesota reserves Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley during the Timberwolves' 109-97 victory at Staples Center.
"We struggled in a lot of areas defensively," Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said. "
Especially in the fourth quarter, when the Clippers' defense was taken apart.
Minnesota missed just three of its 14 shots in the fourth, shooting an astounding 78.6% from the floor and 57.1% (four of seven) of its three-pointers.
For the game, Minnesota made 51.3% of its shots, 45.5% (10 of 22) of its three-pointers.
"We were taking the ball out of the net every time," said Chris Paul, who finished with 27 points and six assists. "We couldn't get a stop. They made open shots and they made tough shots. So when you put that combination together, it's not good for the other team."
Both Beasley and Williams had 27 points and five rebounds. And both had 13 points in the fourth quarter, seemingly taking turns working the Clippers over.
Neither Beasley (five for five) or Williams (three for three, including two for two from three-point range) missed a shot in the fourth quarter.
For Williams, a rookie, his output was a career high. He missed just one of his 10 shots. He made all four of his three-pointers and all five of his free throws.
Beasley missed just four of his 15 shots. He made all three of his three-pointers and two of his four free throws.
And it was his three-pointer that gave the Timberwolves a 104-87 lead, forcing Del Negro to call a timeout, sending many in the crowd home with 2:36 remaining knowing this game was over.
"Derrick and Beasley got hot and we couldn't contain them," Del Negro said. "We tried to change some things up against them. They hit some tough shots and they controlled the fourth quarter where they beat us up pretty good."
For good measures, the Timberwolves are one of the teams the Clippers face on their 10-day trip, a game that will take place March 5 at the Target Center.
"I know we're going to have to play at a higher level, especially on the road now," Del Negro said.
"Maybe that will help us come together a little bit more, play a little tougher, play a little big angry. I didn't think we played very tough tonight, which is disappointing."
Blake Griffin started strong against Love in a matchup of two of the NBA's top power forwards.
Griffin had 18 points in the first quarter, but he scored just 12 the rest of the way.
Love, who didn't play in the fourth quarter, had 10 points and seven rebounds.
DeAndre Jordan a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. He also had four blocked shots.
But the Clippers just had no answer for Beasley and Williams.
"The effort was there and we played hard," Paul said. "But those guys just beat us tonight."
broderick.turner@latimes.com
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