Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Al Jefferson scored 25 points -- including 11 in a huge third quarter -- as the Minnesota Timberwolves upended the LA Clippers, 104-83, at the Target Center.

Jefferson also hauled in 11 rebounds as Minnesota won for the fifth time in its last seven games. That stretch includes victories over Golden State and Phoenix. The club has also won four straight at home.

"We know when we play D we're gonna win," said Jefferson. "That's the reason why we've been playing good ball lately. If we play defense and get stops, we're going to win. Our offense will come, you know, it's gonna come."

Craig Smith poured in 21 points off the bench, while Ryan Gomes added 18 points and nine boards in the victory. Rashad McCants also scored 14 points.

Sam Cassell had a team-high 17 points for the short-handed Clippers, who have dropped four of five. Leading-scorer Corey Maggette missed his third straight game with the flu and did not travel with the team, while center Chris Kaman is also fighting the illness and a bruised leg, and did not dress.

Still, all five starters finished in double figures for Los Angeles, which blew a 15-point lead in the contest. Cuttino Mobley donated 16 points, while Tim Thomas and Josh Powell added 12 apiece. Al Thornton also finished with 10.

"When the team is missing half of its lineup...guys like Corey and Chris Kaman, it's like taking a knife to a gun fight," said Cassell. "No matter who you're playing against, we're short-handed. We got guys who were playing too many minutes, guys who were injured. We're not complaining about it, it's just the hand we were dealt."

Trailing by four at the half, the T'Wolves pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 31-15 over the next 12 minutes.

The key was a 19-4 run started on a Jefferson jump shot at 9:58, and capped by a Smith layup that made it 71-64 with 4:38 remaining in the stanza.

It was 83-71 to start the fourth, where Minnesota's lead grew to 95-75 on a Smith hook shot with 5:45 to play. The Timberwolves then finished strong.

The Clippers looked to have the momentum early on, and midway through the first led 14-8 on a Powell layup. That pressure was sustained, and the lead ballooned to nine, 25-16, with 1:20 left in the stanza.

The T'Wolves closed the gap a bit and trailed, 27-20, heading to the second. Los Angeles continued to play front runner, however, with its lead growing to as many as 15 at the midpoint.

With the score at 45-30, though, Minnesota began to climb back in the hunt. The home squad used an 11-4 run to pull within eight, 49-41, on Jefferson's running tip shot.

The visitors briefly stalled that momentum, but Minnesota closed strong and trailed, 56-52, at the break.