Five takeaways from the Clippers’ victory over the Timberwolves

The Clippers improved their NBA-best record to 9-1 with a 119-105 victory over the Timberwolves in Minnesota.

Here are five takeaways from the game:

1) With 5:15 left in the game Saturday night, Blake Griffin made one of two free throws to put himself into the NBA history books.

Griffin finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. It meant he had become the fastest player to record 9,000-plus points, 4,000-plus rebounds and 1,500-plus assists since Larry Bird, who did it in 398 games.

Griffin, who accomplished his feat in 420 games, now has 9,003 points, 4,025 rebounds and 1,693 assists.

“It’s cool, man,” Griffin said. “It’s an honor to be mentioned in that category. But Larry went on and did more. That’s the ultimate goal, is to have a career like that. It’s cool to have a start like that, but that’s not the end goal.”

2) Besides playing his usual very good defense, Luc Mbah a Moute provided the Clippers with some offensive punch.

He scored a season-high 15 points. He was six-for-eight shooting from the field, two of three from three-point range.

Now make no mistake, Mbah a Moute makes his living playing defense. Against the Timberwolves, he drew the assignment of defending Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota’s talented small forward.

Wiggins had 22 points, but Mbah a Moute hounded the second-year player into missing 16 of his 24 shots. Mbah a Moute’s teammates appreciate what he brings to the team.

“He does everything for us,” Griffin said. “You see him guard (Portland’s) Damian Lillard, you see him guard Wiggins, (Portland’s C.J.) McCollum. Whoever it is, they’re having a tough night. We lean on him. He’s been great.”

3) For the second consecutive game, the Clippers saw an opponent employ the Hack-a-Jordan. The Timberwolves started their strategy of fouling DeAndre Jordan in the fourth quarter.

Jordan didn’t step to the free-throw line in fear. In fact, the 6-11 center calmly made 10 of 16 free throws.

“I don’t like the hacking stuff at all,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “But teams have done it back-to-back nights and there’s nothing you can do about it. DJ’s making the free throws, so we’re good.”

4) The Clippers were lights out from the three-point shot. They were 11-for-24 shooting from three-point range (45.8%).

Even Mbah a Moute was on from distance, making two of his three three-point attempts. Chris Paul was three-for-four from three-point range.

5) With backup forward Wesley Johnson out because of a bruised left heel, Brandon Bass got an opportunity to play.

Bass logged 11 minutes 19 seconds and produced two points and three rebounds.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner