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Friday, Apr. 13 10:30pm ET
Piatkowski scores 26 as Clippers cruise

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Things have changed dramatically for the Los Angeles Clippers, who have learned how to draw a crowd – and hold a lead.

After blowing most of a 17-point pad, the Clippers fought off the Minnesota Timberwolves in the closing minutes to take a 111-105 victory Friday night before a franchise-record 10th sellout crowd of the season.

"If this was earlier in the season, we would have lost the game," said the Clippers' Eric Piatkowski, who made all five of his 3-pointers and scored 26 points. "This team has matured a lot.

"When it comes down to the line, we know what to do and whose hands to have the ball in."

That was Lamar Odom after the Timberwolves closed to 99-95 with a 13-1 run late in the game.

Odom, who scored 21, hit a 3-pointer to make it 102-95 with 2:24 remaining and Minnesota got no closer than six the rest of the way.

The game drew a noisy crowd of 18,964 to Staples Center. The Clippers, who played in Buffalo -- as the Braves -- and San Diego before moving to Los Angeles in 1984, had a previous high nine sellouts in 1991-92 when their home was the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

"Our fans have been phenomenal," Piatkowski said. "I think they're really enjoying watching all these young guys play, all the energy this team has."

Piatkowski missed just three of 12 shots and was 3-for-3 from the line. Odom went 8-for-13 from the floor for the Clippers, whose 29-50 record is 14 more wins than they had last season.

Michael Olowokandi had 19 rebounds and 10 points for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles coach Alvin Gentry was pleased with the victory over the Timberwolves, who clinched a playoff spot earlier this week.

"That team had everything to play for once again in trying to get out of the eighth spot and get to the seventh. And once again, we were just playing to be playing and playing for pride more than anything," Gentry said.

"I think the one thing we keep emphasizing to our guys is that we've got to try to establish something to build on for next year."

Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while playing 37 minutes, the most time for the Timberwolves on a night when coach Flip Saunders used his reserves freely.

LaPhonso Ellis added 17 points in the loss.

"You want to go out and give yourself a chance to win, but give those guys (the Clippers) credit because they played hard," Saunders said. "They play with a lot of energy and are a very explosive team."

With a 17-22 road record, the Timberwolves are the only playoff-bound Western Conference team with a losing record away from home. They were 24-17 on the road last year.

"We are giving up way too many points on the road," Saunders said. "It's always on the road when we give a team opportunities to make runs on us."

Corey Maggette's 15-foot jumper with 10 seconds left in the third quarter staked the Clippers to an 84-75 advantage, and they went on to lead 98-91 with 8:35 remaining before the Timberwolves closed the gap.

Piatkowski and Odom were sharpshooting in the first half, scoring 14 points each and missing just three shots between them. Piatkowski made three 3-pointers and went 5-for-7 from the field, and Odom missed just one of his seven shots.

The Timberwolves still led 57-55 at halftime, however, with Garnett scoring 12 points and the Minnesota reserves combining for 27 points, including nine by Ellis.

Game notes
The Clippers have sold out 14 times since they began playing in Staples Center at the start of last season. ... The Clippers exercised their fourth-year contract options on Odom and Maggette and their second-year contract option on Jeff McInnis earlier Friday. ... Minnesota has won 14 of its last 19 against the Clippers, but split the season series 2-2.

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RECAPS
Washington 113
Orlando 110

Cleveland 97
New Jersey 91

New York 101
Atlanta 65

Indiana 113
Boston 108

Toronto 94
Miami 82

Utah 94
Chicago 83

Dallas 101
Sacramento 97

Denver 108
Golden State 92

Phoenix 109
Seattle 100

Houston 109
Portland 103

LA Clippers 111
Minnesota 105


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