Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 108-102 loss to Minnesota

The Clippers dropped a game to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, ending a four-game winning streak. Here are some takeaways from the 108-102 loss at Staples Center.

1. Chris Paul picked up his eighth technical foul of the season (placing him third on the list of NBA players with the most technicals), and Austin Rivers picked up two technicals and was ejected from the game.

It’s an issue the Clippers have had for a while, and it cost them again against the Timberwolves.

Paul was called for his technical by referee Lauren Holtkamp with 20.6 seconds left and the Clippers down 102-100.

Ricky Rubio made the free throw on the technical and one of two free throws because he was fouled on the play by J.J. Redick.

“That was a big call,” Paul said after the game. “Regardless of the situation, I have to do a better job of not putting it in the hands of them [the officials] to make a call on that. So that’s on me.”

2. The Clippers had trouble playing defense.

The Clippers allowed the Timberwolves to make 50.6% of their shots and 47.1% (eight for 17) of their three-pointers.

The Clippers gave up 32 points in the decisive fourth quarter and were never able to get the stop they needed.

3. It was a tough shooting night for J.J. Redick.

He missed eight of his nine shots, including three of his four three-pointers, and finished with just five points.

4. It was a not a good night for the Clippers starters plus-minus wise. All of them registered a minus.

Luc Mbah a Moute was a minus-13, Paul Pierce a minus-four, DeAndre Jordan a minus-eight, Redick a minus-nine and Paul a minus-nine.

Jordan had a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds, and he had three blocks.

5. With Rivers in the locker room after picking up his second technical foul in the first half, Jamal Crawford took up the scoring load for the reserves.

Crawford had 21 points off the bench, connecting on five of 15 shots. He was just one for four from three-point range, but made all 10 of his free throws.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner