Play-in Preview: Three things to look for in Clippers at Timberwolves

For my money, this is the most interesting play-in round game (in either conference).

Two pretty good teams — each with an All-NBA level player — face off when the Los Angeles Clippers travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves in the Western Conference 7/8 pay-in game (6:30 p.m., TNT). The winner advances to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, the loser will host the winner of the Spurs at Pelicans game in a win-or-go-home game for the No. 8 seed.

Los Angeles vs. Minnesota should be an interesting game. Here are three things to watch for.

Minnesota has the best player in this game in Karl-Anthony Towns, who had an All-NBA level season averaging 24.6 points and 9.8 rebounds a game while shooting 41% on 3-pointers. There is a maturity to his game now, and that calmness — along with an improved passing game — has him picking apart opposing defenses. He can score inside, outside, put the ball on the floor, whatever the defense gives him, he can take and turn into buckets.

The Clippers may be the best team to challenge Towns because it’s not going to be one look, it’s going to be something different every time down the floor. Straight big-man matchups with Ivica Zubac, a feisty smaller big who will get under Towns’ skin in Marcus Morris, quick doubles with Paul George and Robert Covington, and if the Timberwolves use a pick to try and get a matchup they want no team scram switches better behind the play than the Clippers. Los Angeles had a lot of long, high IQ defenders and they can execute what will be a clever game plan from Tyronn Lue (an underrated game coach).

This is the best Xs and Os matchup of the entire first round. How Towns adjusts to the Clippers’ defense — and if other guys such