LOS ANGELES -- Sharpshooter Mike Miller continued to struggle from the perimeter as he works his way through an ankle injury that cost him his starting job.
Miller was held to single-digit points for the 12th time in his past 13 games in the Timberwolves' 94-86 victory over the Clippers on Monday and is hitting just 28.8 percent in January. "I'm going to call a timeout next time I make one. Keep the game ball," he cracked sarcastically.
Minnesota has won nine of its past 12 games, which makes Miller's slump easier to endure, even as he has been forced to come off the bench the past eight games after starting the first 22.
Still hampered by severe right ankle sprain that cost him five games in late December, Miller refuses to make health an issue.
"It's not where I want it to be, but it's not an excuse, either," said Miller, a career 46 percent shooter who was acquired from Memphis in the draft night swap of No. 1 draft picks to improve Minnesota's perimeter game. "Just go out there and play. It's all you can do. If I'm out there playing, it's not an excuse.
"The only way I'm going to get out of this is to make shots and keep shooting," he said.
Homecoming days: Forwards Kevin Love and Craig Smith took advantage of their return to Southern California.
Love, who starred for two years at UCLA, flew ahead of the Wolves from Phoenix to attend the Bruins' loss to Arizona State on Saturday.
Smith, who grew up in Los Angeles, spent the two-day break tooling around town in his convertible Bentley, which drew wide-eyed attention from teammates after practice Sunday.
Coach Kevin McHale joked he would remind Smith of his expensive taste in vehicles during their next round of contract negotiations.
Smith made the most of his return Monday, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first quarter. The performance was three points shy of Smith's season high Nov. 28 against Oklahoma City.
"I just felt good out there -- came out and played aggressive and felt free," he said. "Everything was going in for me in the first quarter. It was a good feeling."
Smith, who hosts an annual Christmas party for underprivileged kids in Los Angeles, said he wished he could play at home more often.
"Just a good feeling to be home. Getting some home-cooked food. Hanging around your family and friends," he said.
And cruise the Bentley with the top down.
"Car's back home now," Smith said after the game. "I'm trying to get it on the plane, see if they'll let me."
Salt Lake misery: The Wolves wrap up their three-game road trip tonight in Salt Lake City, where they have lost five straight games to the Jazz dating to Dec. 5, 2005. They are 9-31 overall in Utah.
Utah's 29-point victory last March 5 was the second largest in team history.
Minnesota is 2-9 in the second game of back-to-back games this season.
