Gomes leads Timberwolves past Clippers 87-77

Gomes leads Timberwolves past Clippers 87-77

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Ryan Gomes had 24 points and 13 rebounds, Craig Smith added 16 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 87-77 on Tuesday night in a matchup of short-handed teams.

Eric Gordon scored 28 for the Clippers, who went without a basket for four-plus minutes to start the fourth quarter. Smith had seven consecutive points in the period to give the Timberwolves their biggest lead of the game, 78-62, with 10:18 remaining.

Both teams were missing at least three starters because of injuries and a suspension.

Kevin Love, who finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds, scored the first seven points of the third quarter to give Minnesota a 54-41 lead it never relinquished.