SoCal NBA Preview

LA Clippers (14-28) at Minnesota (9-36),5:00 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Two of the worst teams in the Western Conference meet on Friday when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Clippers, who open a season-high seven-game road trip against the Timberwolves, snapped a three-game losing streak during their last game on Wednesday, posting a 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Rookie Al Thornton scored a career-high 33 points against the Hawks, falling just six points shy of the Clippers' rookie record set by Tom Chambers during the 1981-82 season. Thornton's performance came at the perfect time as the Clippers dressed just nine players for the second straight game Wednesday. Los Angeles was without its top two scorers, center Chris Kaman and swingman Corey Maggette, who are both sidelined with the flu.

Despite owning the NBA's worst record, the Timberwolves have won four of their last six games, including a 83-67 triumph against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Al Jefferson scored 26 points and tied a season-high with 20 rebounds against the Bulls, logging his third straight double-double. Jefferson, who was the key player in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics this past offseason, has not disappointed during his first campaign in Minnesota, averaging 21.2 points and 12.2 rebounds.