The Los Angeles Clippers dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128 to move above .500 with their third straight victory on Wednesday night.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 45 points, helping his team to reach the eighth seed in the Western Conference at 33-32 after opening 6-21.
Leonard was 15 of 20 from the field, 6 of 9 on triples, and made 9 of 10 free throws, to make Los Angeles 19 of 37 threes.
Benedict Mahurin contributed 22 points, and newcomer Darius Garland had 21 points, including five three-pointers, for Los Angeles.
On the other hand, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 36 points, and Naz Reid added 18.
The Timberwolves dropped to sixth in the tight Western Conference, but are only a half-game behind the third-place Lakers.
Minnesota has lost three in a row after winning five straight, and lost to the Lakers on Tuesday night to open a four-game trip.
Leonard scored 18 points in the first quarter to help Los Angeles take a 38-27 lead. He had 28 at the half, with the Clippers up 74-65.
The two-time Champion went to the fourth quarter with 39 points to have a 109-98 cushion.
Both teams will play on Friday night: the Timberwolves at Golden State, while the Clippers host the Bulls.
