Chance to Take a Few Measures

Even if the 82-game regular-season NBA schedule doesn’t hold the same gravity as the playoffs, there are still games that mean more than others.

Tonight’s game against Minnesota has more meaning for the Clippers. The Timberwolves are in second place in the Northwest Division behind surprising Seattle, but they did reach the Western Conference finals last season before bowing to the Lakers. And they are predicted to have another deep playoff run this season.

What a good opportunity for the Clippers, who have feasted on the downtrodden (Golden State twice) and the depleted (Indiana) during their five-game winning streak, to find out how they measure up against a NBA title contender.

“Minnesota is one of those games,” Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “They are one of the elite teams in the league. They have a real veteran group; the same coach and same nucleus has been there a long time.

“We want to see where we stack up against that.”

Dunleavy is getting solid production from a roster that has five players scoring in double figures, led by Elton Brand at 19.2.

The team’s early success has come from its willingness to share the points and help out on defense.

Those traits must remain in play for Los Angeles tonight, Dunleavy said.

“We have to continue the things we’re doing to compete at a high level,” Dunleavy said. “Do the job defensively, take care of the ball, make our free throws and take good shots. If you take good shots and don’t make them, if somebody beats you then they deserve to win.

“Now having said that, Minnesota is a team that executes and reads very well. They’re projected to be among the top four teams in the league.

“They have a lot more firepower, so we have to do the right things to have a chance to win.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30, Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (690, 1150).

Records -- Clippers 10-6, Timberwolves 10-5. Record vs. Timberwolves (2003-04) -- 0-4.

Update -- Los Angeles has won five in a row, its most recent coming against Indiana on Wednesday. Minnesota has won its last four. The Clippers would also like to do something about the Timberwolves’ seven-game winning streak against them. Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett is in hot pursuit of a second most-valuable-player award; he is the NBA’s leading rebounder (15.0), ranks 10th in scoring (23.1) and is 13th in assists (6.4).