LA Clippers face active Jimmy Butler and Minnesota Timberwolves

The LA Clippers return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and an active Jimmy Butler after playing in a mini road trip. Here’s what to watch for.

The LA Clippers, fresh off a win in Orlando, return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who recently announced that Jimmy Butler will suit up and play. Here’s what we think you should watch for tonight.

Changing of the Guard?

It is very possible we witness a small changing of the guard tonight. With Avery Bradley recently announced as out for the night with a sprained left ankle, rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get the start. This will be the first start of the young point guard’s career.

Many fans have called for Shai to start since the beginning of the season (seriously, check our mentions on Twitter) and they will finally get their wish. SGA has been nothing short of impressive in his nine games with the team, averaging 8.2 points, 3.1 assists, 2.9 rebound and  0.9 steals while shooting 45.6% from the field.

No, he likely won’t be the Rookie of the Year due to playing time and situation, but Shai could easily be one of the top players out of this draft class when all things are said and done. Tonight could be the first of many starts, should he impress.

The challenge? Both Jimmy Butler and Derek Rose have been confirmed as active by the Timberwolves. Butler has missed several games for rest (which many think is just his new attempt at getting traded) while Rose recently dropped a career-high. If Shai wants to show out, he will have to do so against a solid unit.

The Big Men

Doc Rivers made a surprise change on Friday night, opting to sit Marcin Gortat and start Boban Marjanovic against the Magic. If he chooses to do so again tonight, Boban better be ready. Despite a rocky start to his season, Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the premier young centers in the league.

With Boban’s lack of mobility, Towns may get plenty of looks from deep, which he is capable of knocking down. Should this happen frequently, fans may see Montrezl Harrell inserted quickly for Marjanovic.

However, as we saw in Philadelphia, centers can have their way with us. Joel Embiid put up 41 points on this Clippers team just four days ago, so Doc needs to be weary of Towns. What will likely happen is that either Danilo Gallinari or Tobias Harris start out guarding Towns in favor of putting Boban on Taj Gibson who is much less mobile and capable of shooting.

There will be match-ups galore in this one with the shadow of a possible Jimmy Butler trade or signing in the future looming over this whole game. Make sure to follow along with us on Twitter and check back here for your post game coverage!