Wolves (7-34) at Celtics (33-7) 1/25

[FLCeltsFan]

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Minnesota Timberwolves (7-34) at Boston Celtics (33-7)
Friday, January 25
7:30 PM ET
Game #41, Home Game #23
TV: NBA LP ch 753, CSNHD, KSTC-45
Sirius 123
TD Banknorth Garden



Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 9.3 | APG 4.7 | SPG 1.7
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.2 | APG 3.1 | 3P% .378
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.4 | RPG 5.5 | APG 5
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.5 | RPG 9.8 | BPG 1.4
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.2 | RPG 5.7 | BPG 1.3

Off the Bench
Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Brian Scalabrine, Eddie House, Gabe Pruitt, Tony Allen

Injuries
James Posey, finger, day to day
Scott Pollard, ankle, day to day




Probable Starters

PG: Sebastian Telfair PPG 9.6 | APG 5.9 | SPG 1.1
SG: Marko Jaric PPG 9.1 | APG 4.4 | SPG 1.3
SF: Rashad McCants PPG 15 | APG 2.4 | 3P% .418
PF: Ryan Gomes PPG 11.7 | RPG 5.3 | APG 1.4
C: Al Jefferson PPG 20.8 | RPG 12.1 | BPG 1.3

Off the Bench
Corey Brewer, Antoine Walker, Craig Smith, Greg Buckner, Mark Madsen, Gerald Green, Chris Richard

Injuries
Michael Doleac, flu, day to day
Randy Foye, stress reaction, out
Theo Ratliff, knee, out

Key Matchups
vs
Kevin Garnett 6'11" PPG 19.5 RPG 9.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 26.52
Ryan Gomes 6'7" PPG 11.7 RPG 5.30 APG 1.4 EFF + 12.27
KG has a height advantage as well as an experience advantage over Gomes. This should be a matchup that the Celtics look to exploit.

vs
Kendrick Perkins 6'10" PPG 7.2 RPG 5.70 APG 1.1 EFF + 10.79
Al Jefferson 6'10" PPG 20.8 RPG 12.10 APG 1.2 EFF + 23.98
This should be a very good matchup. It will be Perk's defense versus Big Al's offense. They went at each other many times in practice and know each other's games.

Honorable Mention
vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 9.3 | APG 4.7 | SPG 1.7
Sebastian Telfair PPG 9.6 | APG 5.9 | SPG 1.1
This should be an interesting matchup of two former teammates. Telfair at one time had won the starting job while Rondo sat on the bench. Both are very quick and it will be interesting to see how they play against each other. Rondo has the advantage on the defensive end while Bassy has an offensive advantage.

Keys to the Game
Defense The Celtics took a night off from playing defense against the Raptors and need to get back to playing the tough team defense that made them so successful early. The Wolves are 0-29 when scoring less than 100 points and they are 1-25when shooting less than 45%. So, if the Celtics play good defense, they should be able to beat this team.

Rebounding The Celtics have to put out the effort to rebound. They can't allow teams to out-rebound them and to get second chance points from them. The Wolves are 0-18 when they are out-rebounded.

Play for 48 minutes The Celtics have been in the habit of getting leads and then letting up. They did this against the Raptors and it came back to bite them. The Celtics have to come out strong and keep the pressure on for 48 minutes. If they get a lead, they have to continue to play and not let the Wolves get back into the game.

Don't Underestimate the Wolves The Wolves may only have 7 wins, but they have won their last 2 games against quality teams. They beat the Warriors, who are 25-18, on the road and then beat the Suns, who are 30-13, at home. They have scored 30 or more points in the first quarter in their last 4 games and they outscored the Suns in the paint 58-34. The Celtics can't underestimate them.

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

Walker might try to light up his former team from outside. Considering the T-wolves have knocked off two strong teams in a row, this game is not a gimme.

[FLCeltsFan]

Perk jumping against Big Al and Perk wins the tip. Perk misses a short jumper in the lane as Al gets a piece of the shot. Wolves rebound. Al hits a jumper from about 18 feet. Pierce trying to find Perk inside and it is knocked out of bounds. Celtics inbound with 14 on the SC. RA misses and Wolves rebound. Gomes hits a jumper on the baseline. RA drives to the basket but misses a layup. Wolves rebound. McCants misses a 3. Rondo rebounds. Rondo gets it inside and lays it in. KG hits a jumper. Big Al hits in the paint. KG spins and is fouled by Gomes. KG hits both FTs. Rondo almost gets a steal but Big Al recovers and is fouled. He hits both FTs. KG gets a pass over the top and makes a quick move to the hoop for a big one handed jam. Al makes a move on RA along the baseline and KG is called for a defensive 3 second violation. Gomes hits the T. McCants makes a strong move down the lane for a layup. PP drives down the lane and hits a floater. McCants goes into the paint and misses. KG rips the rebound away. Ball knocked out by Wolves and Celtics inbound with 16 on the SC. Celtics miss and Bassy rebounds. Al with a McHalesque move in the paint lays it in. Celtics miss and Wolves rebound. Telfair with a bounce pass inside to Gomes for a layup. RA loses the ball in the paint and recovers and brings it back out. He drives into the paint again and passes to Perk who lays it in and is fouled. He hits the FT. Rondo with a steal as he picks off the pass. PP gets the ball on the baseline and moves to the hoop and is fouled. He hits both FTs and Game is tied at 15. McCants hits a tough jumper over PP. Telfair picks off a pass and KG with a big block. Time out with Wolves up 17-15 and 5:33 left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Jaric hits 1 of 2 at the line. Telfair with a steal. RA with a steal RA misses a runner over Telfair but is fouled. RA hits both FTs. Rondo picks off Telfairs bounce pass. Rondo misses a jumper from the FT line. Big Al rebounds under the basket. Telfair's jumper rattles in and out and the rebound comes out to KG. PP drives to the hoop and misses a layup but KG is there to grab the rebound and put it in. Telfair hits a pull up jumper in the paint. Rondo drives down the lane and lays it in. Gomes misses a 3 and KG grabs the rebound. Inside to KG who finds Perk who misses the layup but is fouled by Big Al. He misses the first. Big Baby comes in for KG. Big Al also goes out with 2 fouls. Perk hits the second. Jaric misses a jumper. PP rebounds. PP with a cross over move gets into the paint and lays it down for Perk for the dunk. Telfair hits a 3 from the corner. Wolves get away with a 3 second violation. PP misses a jumper and Smith rebounds. McCants drives to the hoop and lays it in. RA hits a 3 from top right of the arc. Jaric hits a wide open jumper from the corner. RA misses a 3 off the catch. Wolves rebound. Smith has it blocked by Perk and then gets it back and lays it in. PP with a fake splits the defenders and is fouled. Time out with Wolves up 30-27 and 10 seconds left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

PP at the line hits both FTs as the second one rolls on the back of the rim and in. Gomes steps out of bounds and the Wolves turn it over. Celtics inbound with 2.6 in the first. Green comes in for the Wolves. Rondo quickly gets it across and pulls up and back rims a 3 at the buzzer. Score at the end of 1 is Wolves 30 and Celtics 29

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

Q at the Qtr - Minnesota has the offensive end figured out.

[FLCeltsFan]

Wolves inbound to start the 2nd. Walker misses a 3 and Pierce rebounds. Tony drives to the hoop and hits a tough scoop shot. Tony, PP, Baby Powe and House. Walker misses a hook shot and Smith rebounds He misses the put back and Celtics rebound. PP drives and lays it down to Powe who is cutting down the lane for a dunk. Wolves turn it over. PP drives on the other side and passes inside to Powe for a 2 handed stuff. Smith misses a layup and Baby rebounds. PP misses a jumper and Baby goes down hard on the rebound. He got up slowly and is wincing as he comes down the court. Wolves miss and Green rebounds and hits a fall away in the paint. House missses from the corner and Powe rebounds. Tony called for an offensive foul as he drives baseline. time out with Celtics up 35-32 and 8:53 left in the half

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

I think the 2nd unit can seperate from Minnesota's second unit. But not with offenive possesstions where every Celt stands around and waits for Paul, Eddie, or Tony to do something.

[FLCeltsFan]

Wolves inbound on the side Baby still in the game. Walker hits a 3 off the catch. PP to Powe inside and he is tied up. He was shooting but the refs call it inbounds on the sdiet. Tony drives baseline and is fouled. Tony misses the first. RA comes in for PP. Tony misses the second and Smith rebounds. Green is fouled by Tony as he misses a 3. He misses the first and hits the second and third. House brings it up quickly. House throws it away and Davis fouls him. KG comes in for Powe who did a nice job while he was in there. Green hits a runner in the lane. House hits a 3 off the catch. Walker misses a 3 and Green rebounds and misses a fall away on the baseline/. Rebound goes out of bounds to Bosto. RA misses a jumper and the rebound comes back out to him in the lane. He misses a short jumper and Big Baby gets the rebound and is fouled. He hits both FTs. Green hits a pull up jumper. Tony's pass is picked off Green has it stripped and Tony misses a layup at the other end as he was fouled but no call. Wolves come away with it. Baby is called for a foul and isn't very happy about it. Time out with Wolves up 43-40 and 5:04 left in the half

[FLCeltsFan]

Big Al at the FT line hits the first and misses the second. KG goes in for the rebound. RA's pass is picked off by Jefferson. Brewer misses and loose ball is chased by Green and Baby and they called it out off Boston. Not a good call but Baby did a good job going to the floor after it. Starters back on the floor for Boston. Green misses a jumper. PP rebound. Pierce's shot is blocked and Wolves come away with it. Wolves miss and KG rebounds. Perk is fouled and goes to the line. He hits both FTs. McCants hits a 3 off the catch. KG takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Travelling called on McCants. Time out with Wolves up 47-44 and 2:55 left in the half

[FLCeltsFan]

Celtics inbound and Rondo brings it up. Alley oop pass inside to Perk for a dunk. Al has his shot blocked and RA comes away with it. RA misses and Wolves rebound. Gomes jumper rattles out and KG rebounds. RA misses a jumper and Wolves rebound. Perk called for a foul. Telfair misses a deep 3 at the SC. Perk rebounds. Perk gets the ball on the baseline and puts it in off the glass. Perk blocks Big Al's shot and KG rebounds. Time out with 18.7 seconds in the half and 18 on the SC. Celtics up 48-47 and with the ball.

[FLCeltsFan]

PP gets it in to Rondo who is holding for the final shot. He drives and misses the up and under and Perk is there on the weak side for the rebound and put back. Wolves inbound and miss a 3/4 court shot at the buzzer. Score at the half is Celtics 50 and Wolves 47.

[FLCeltsFan]

Wolves inbound to start the 3rd. Celtics with some defense in the back court. KG blocks McCants shot and Rondo comes away with it. PP Hits a 3. Rondo and Telfair collide out beyond the arc and Rondo is called for the foul. Wolves inbound on the side. Jaric misses a 3 and KG rebounds. KG misses a jumper and Jaric rebounds. Telfair's layup is swatted away by KG and goal tending is called. Celtics miss and McCants rebounds. He takes it to the hoop and misses but tip in is good. RA hits a jumper. Al misses inside and Celtics rebound. Perk backs in on the baseline and is fouled. He misses the first FT Big Al and KG are given technicals as they are talkiing too much trash. Perk hits the FT. Al misses over Perk and KG grabs the weak side rebound. Rondo misses a jumper and Wolves get the rebound. Mccants called for a travel. RA misses a jumper in the lane and stops and stares at the official as he is hacked and no call. rebound goes out of bounds to the Wolves. Telfair hits a deep 3. Crowd is very quiet. PP's pass along the baseline and goes out of bounds. Bomes misses a 3 and Rondo rebounds. RA misses a 3 and McCants rebounds. Rondo called for a foul. Wolves inbound with 14 on the SC. Baby in for Perk. Gomes muscles in a layup and the game is tied at 56. RA misses a straight away open 3 and McCants rebounds. foul called on Baby inside, his 3rd. Wolves inbound on the side. Telfair misses from the corner. KG keeps it alive and PP comes away with it. PP drives to the hoop and lays it in. Gomes is fouled by KG as he goes up for a layup. Time out with Boston up 58-56 5:43 left in the 3rd

[FLCeltsFan]

Gomes at the line hits both FTs. Game tied at 58. PP drives and misses the layup. Wolves rebound. Telfair called for a travel as he drives. Celtics inbound on the side and pass it up court. Rondo is fouled as he drives through the lane. Celtics inbound on the side with 12 on the SC. PP drives to the hoop and misses a layup but Baby is there for the weak side rebound and put back. Al gets to the hoop and lays it in. offensive foul on Pierce. Al works against KG and gets to the basket and puts it in up and under. Big Al has some incredible foot work and moves around the basket. PP drives and gets fouled. PP hits bpth FTs Game tied at 62. Jaric misses and KG gets the rebound off the floor. Davis turns it over as he has it stripped in the lane. Gomes fakes the three and drives into the lane and hits a runner. RA's pass goes out of bounds. Should be off Wolves. Time out with Wolves up 64-62 and 2:49 left in the 3rd

[FLCeltsFan]

They called it off Boston and so Wolves inbound. Brewer hits a baseline jumper. PP misses a jumper and Smith rebounds. Refs are letting a lot of contact go. Wolves miss and rebound goes off Gomes out of bounds and Leon was in there battling for it. Brewer called for a foul. Celtics inbound on the side. PP drives into the line and is fouled as he misses a fall away. he hits the first. Tony comes in for RA. PP hits the second. Green has it stripped by House in the lane. House misses and Wolves come away with it. Green misses a jumper and rebound goes out off Wolves. House misses a 3 from the corner. Powe grabs the weak side rebounds and goes baseline and lays it in and is fouled. He hits the FT. Brewer misses a jumper and Baby grabs the rebound. PP is called for palming the ball At the end of 3 Wolves 68 and Boston 67