Piatkowski Set to Return

MINNEAPOLIS — The Clippers are expected to activate Eric Piatkowski from the injured list today, leaving the team a second roster move to make room for their shooting guard. Piatkowski has been sidelined since Dec. 10 because of a lower abdominal strain.

The Clippers will be without point guard Andre Miller, who returned to Los Angeles on Thursday to attend the funeral Saturday for his stepfather, Albert Robinson, who died last week. Keyon Dooling is expected to make his first start of the season tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Miller will rejoin the team for Sunday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the third stop on their four-game trip.

The Clippers also are expected to be without center Michael Olowokandi tonight. Olowokandi suffered a bruised right thigh when Shaquille O’Neal accidentally kneed him during the second quarter of the Lakers’ victory. Sean Rooks will replace Olowokandi for the second consecutive game.

Other than that, it was a quiet practice for the team Thursday at the Target Center, a day after ending a 26-game regular-season losing streak against the Utah Jazz at Salt Lake City. Wednesday’s victory was the Clippers’ second in three games, but also only their fourth in 13.

“Our team needs wins,” Coach Alvin Gentry said. “I don’t care how they come or what anybody says about the way we play down the stretch, as long as we win. We’ve dug ourselves a tremendous hole and we’ve got to dig ourselves out.”

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Utah Coach Jerry Sloan on the Clippers: “This is a team we barely beat out for a playoff spot last season. The last three or four games, they’ve played well and been a lot more effective. They beat Sacramento. They had a tough game against the Lakers and they came here and beat us. You can only get pushed and shoved around for so long. They seem to be fighting back and playing very well.”

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TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5 PST

Site -- Target Center.

Radio -- XTRA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 16-25, Timberwolves 24-18.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-1.

Update -- The teams split two games at Staples Center, with the Clippers winning by 16 points Dec. 7 and the Timberwolves taking a 31-point victory Jan. 15. The Timberwolves have won three consecutive games.