Los Angeles @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2019 ) L.A. Clippers 122, Minnesota 111

Kawhi Leonard made his triumphant return to Toronto and he now looks to help the Los Angeles Clippers win their fourth straight game when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Leonard received his NBA championship ring prior to Wednesday's game and then scored 24 points as the Clippers routed the Raptors 112-92.

Leonard was NBA Finals MVP while leading the Raptors to last season's title and he looked strong against Toronto after missing Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers due to left knee soreness. "I thought Kawhi was great," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said afterward. "What I loved about him was he was patient. He just waited. He kept accepting the traps, he kept making the right play." Not much is going right for a Minnesota squad that dropped its last six games and that was evident as the Timberwolves suffered a 127-116 loss to the visiting Utah Jazz on Wednesday. "In the NBA season, there's a number of different tough times, and this is one of them for us," Minnesota coach Ryan Saunders told reporters after the latest setback.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (19-7): While Leonard was 8-of-14 shooting against Toronto, fellow forwards Paul George (13 points on 3-of-14 shooting) and Montrezl Harrell (10 points on 3-of-9 shooting) experienced subpar performances. Sixth man Lou Williams enjoyed a strong outing of 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds after having just six points on 2-of-19 shooting in the win over Indiana. Williams has scored fewer than 20 points in five consecutive games after tallying at least 20 in 16 of the first 21 contests.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (10-14): Point guard Jeff Teague scored a season-best 32 points for the second time in four games and he made 11-of-16 shots, including all four 3-point attempts, while falling two points shy of his career high on Wednesday. Teague was questionable for the contest due to a left ankle injury and he is also adjusting to coming off the bench but he put on an impressive show. "He was aggressive and he was keeping us in the game," Saunders said.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Clippers halted a four-game losing streak at Minnesota with a 122-111 victory on March 26.

2. The Timberwolves have won seven of the past 10 overall meetings.

3. Los Angeles PG Patrick Beverley (concussion) was injured against Toronto and is unlikely to play on Friday.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 103, Clippers 100