Clippers Take a Backward Step and Lose to the Timberwolves

The Clippers, who have made a lot of strides toward becoming a good team in the first three weeks of the season, took a giant step backward against the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night.

Leading by eight points in the fourth quarter, they were outscored, 16-6, in the final 4:20 and lost their second consecutive game, 98-96, in front of 16,877 at the Target Center.

“There isn’t anything for me to learn,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I’ve been through a lot of them like that. I know this: you can’t be behind and struggle and get back in a ballgame and give yourself a win and then have people go out there and [make mistakes].

“Defense is a thing we live by, but in the fourth quarter, they [the Timberwolves] had 11 possessions and scored 10 times. I go out and brag about them [the Clippers] when they go out and hold, but they couldn’t hold water tonight.”

They also couldn’t hold forward Kevin Garnett, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Garnett, who had nine points and three rebounds in the final quarter, scored four points in the final 55 seconds after going over Clipper forward Loy Vaught for two key offensive rebounds as the Timberwolves remained unbeaten in four home games this season.

“I take responsibility for this loss,” said Vaught, who had 12 points and a season-low three rebounds. “I let them get two rebounds that probably cost us the game.

“I’m used to pursuing the ball and that’s what I did, but Garnett is taller or jumps higher and he used his athleticism and got his hands on it and tipped it. I guess with him, instead of trying to grab rebounds I’ve got to get my body on him and keep him away [from the ball].”

Can Vaught learn from his mistakes?

“How many games does Loy Vaught have to play in before he learns to box out?” Fitch asked. “How many games do your guards have to play in before they come down and get everybody in motion? How many games do you have to play to get better spacing?

“We let the crowd get into it, we lost our poise and we just didn’t do the job we should have done. It doesn’t mean we’re a bad team, but it means from this point on everybody that was given something to do has got to be able to do it from here on out.”

With the Clippers leading, 93-92, after Stanley Roberts made two free throws with 1:10 remaining, Garnett went over Vaught and tipped in a missed shot by Sam Mitchell with 55 seconds left.

The Clippers called time to set up a play, but guard Terry Dehere missed an open three-pointer with 41 seconds to play.

“I can’t get a better look at the basket,” said Dehere. “I just missed a shot, and that ain’t going to happen too often.” He missed six of seven Saturday.

“We let too many rebounds get away and made some stupid plays,” said Roberts, who had 18 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes. “We didn’t run the plays as they were designed in the huddle and it cost us.

“We didn’t get the job done mentally and physically. We let them walk in and steal one from us. This one really hurts, especially when you know you had the game won.”