Chris Paul, Clippers come up short in 95-94 loss to Timberwolves

Reporting from Minneapolis -- Chris Paul stood at the free-throw line with the opportunity to tie the score with 2.7 seconds left, to save his teammates from their inability to control their emotions during the crucial part of the fourth quarter, to put the Clippers in position to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time this season.

All Paul had to do was make three free throws after he had been fouled by Derrick Williams shooting a three-point attempt and the score would have been tied and the game perhaps sent to overtime.

Paul made the first two free throws, missed the third, and rued the missed opportunity that sent the Clippers to a 95-94 defeat Monday night at the Target Center.

His 18 points and five assists were needed because the Clippers were unable to contain Kevin Love, who had 39 points and 17 rebounds.

Paul’s eight points in the fourth had given the Clippers hope even though he wasn’t having one of his better games. He missed nine of 14 shots.

But Blake Griffin scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Mo Williams had 19 points off the bench to keep the Clippers in contention.

Paul, who entered the game shooting 85% from the free-throw line, made his first eight..

But his final free throw was short, leaving the Clippers at 0-3 against the Timberwolves this season and 2-2 on a six-game trip.

“It’s tough, it’s tough, because I wanted it,” Paul said. “I wanted the ball. I wanted to be in that situation. I’ll tell you again, if I’m in that situation again, I’m going to go right to the line. I know I’m going to make it every time I shoot it. Tonight I didn’t.”

Two fourth-quarter technical fouls proved costly.

Kenyon Martin was called for the first technical with Paul at the free-throw line with 3:18 left.

Paul made both free throws, but instead of being down four points, the Clippers trailed 88-83 because Luke Ridnour made a free throw for the Timberwolves.

Griffin was called for a technical after Ridnour fouled him.

Ridnour made his free throw, but Griffin missed both of his, leaving the Clippers down 91-85 with 2:22 left.

“You don’t want to say that one particular thing comes down to a won or lost game, but it very well could have been,” Griffin said. “I’ve got to do a better job of controlling my emotions.”

The Clippers still had a chance after the rookie Williams fouled Paul shooting a three-pointer.

“I was trying to make it,” Paul said. “I saw the way he jumped at me, so I figured why not fall. I thought the initial shot was going in. I thought I was going to get a four-point play. But I missed the last [free throw]. I was ready for overtime.”

The Timberwolves won the first two games at Staples Center and one here.

The teams meet for the final time this season here on April 12.

So, Griffin was asked, is this developing into an interesting series?

“Nah, I mean, they’ve won three,” Griffin said. “We haven’t won any. So, I wouldn’t say that’s interesting.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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