Game Preview: Timberwolves at Celtics

Tonight's Matchup

	vs.
33-7	Record	7-34
99.4	PPG	94.3
88.1	PPGA	103.2
47.3	FG%	44.2
41.9	Opp. FG%	47.0
41.2	Rebounds	42.1
22.2	Assists	19.0
14.2	Turnovers	15.0
8.9	Steals	7.1
4.4	Blocks	4.0
0-0	Season Series	0-0

Now Playing:

• Celtics Documentary
• Dancers at Foxwoods
• Shamrock Shootout
• Media Day

Celtics OnDemand Lineup

Point Guard
Rajon Rondo Points: 9.3 Rebounds: 4.0 Assists: 4.7 VIEW HOTZONES	Sebastian Telfair Points: 9.6 Rebounds: 2.3 Assists: 5.9 VIEW HOTZONES
Shooting Guard
Ray Allen Points: 18.2 Rebounds: 4.1 Assists: 3.1 VIEW HOTZONES	Marko Jaric Points: 9.1 Rebounds: 3.1 Assists: 4.4 VIEW HOTZONES
Small Forward
Paul Pierce Points: 20.4 Rebounds: 5.5 Assists: 5.0 VIEW HOTZONES	Rashad McCants Points: 15.0 Rebounds: 3.2 Assists: 2.4 VIEW HOTZONES
Power Forward
Kevin Garnett Points: 19.5 Rebounds: 9.8 Assists: 3.8 VIEW HOTZONES	Ryan Gomes Points: 11.7 Rebounds: 5.3 Assists: 1.4 VIEW HOTZONES
Center
Kendrick Perkins Points: 7.2 Rebounds: 5.7 Assists: 1.1 VIEW HOTZONES	Al Jefferson Points: 20.8 Rebounds: 12.1 Assists: 1.2 VIEW HOTZONES
Sixth Man
Tony Allen Points: 5.9 Rebounds: 2.1 Assists: 1.4 VIEW HOTZONES	Antoine Walker Points: 9.2 Rebounds: 3.7 Assists: 1.0 VIEW HOTZONES

Friday, January 25, 2008
TD Banknorth Garden, 7:30 PM
TV: Comcast Sports Net
RADIO: WEEI 850 AM

By Peter F. Stringer
Celtics.com

The trade that drastically altered the future of two franchises will be on parade tonight at the Garden as the Timberwolves visit the TD Banknorth Garden for the first time since this summer's blockbuster deal that sent five Celtics to Minnesota and put Boston back on the NBA map.

While reporters from Minnesota made the voyage a day early to cover Garnett's first regular season match-up against his former team, KG dismissed the idea that tonight's game was anything more than one of 82. He's more worried about getting the Celtics back in the win column after Wednesday's 114-112 loss to the Raptors.

"I want y'all to understand something. A lot of the guys I played with in Minnesota are not even on this team. It's like a brand-new team," Garnett said after Thursday's film session in Waltham. "The personnel, the trainers and people behind the scenes are probably a little more important than some of the people who are on the court."

Garnett says he's preparing for tonight's contest like any other game, and truth be told, his first trip to Minnesota is probably more relevant. However, it will be a homecoming of sorts for five former Celtics (six if you count the oft-injured Theo Ratliff) who've all been prominently involved in the team's recent history.

Along with Ratliff, who was more famous for his expiring contract than anything, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes Gerald Green and Al Jefferson were all dealt to Minnesota in exchange for Garnett. Meanwhile, two-time Celtic Antoine Walker was dealt to the T-Wolves during training camp in a deal that saw them dump two other former Celtics, Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.

Their names alone remind fans of darker days when the team struggled through an injury-riddled season low-lighted by an 18-game losing streak. But rather than dwell on the tough times endured by the Boston youth, Doc Rivers reflected on the positive experience he had with Jefferson and company.

"I'd rather think about the good times I had with them coaching," Rivers said of his former players. "They were terrific kids, all of them, fun to coach, they improved each month, each day. When you think about all we went through, we had very little turmoil. The team was extremely close. They're good people."

As for more recent history, it's a little strange that the Celtics are the team who are coming off a loss while the T-Wolves have won two straight games, most recently knocking off the Phoenix Suns. Jefferson had a huge game, posting a career-high 39 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Big Al's numbers have been eye-popping this season, as he's one of the few 20-10 guys in the league, and his 12.1 rebounds per game are good for fifth in the NBA. His 32 double-doubles ranks him second only to Orlando's Dwight Howard, and were it not for Minnesota's 7-34 record, Big Al would likely be joining KG at All-Star Weekend.

Garnett, of course, was the NBA's leading vote getter, garnering over 2.4 million votes. Meanwhile, Pierce and Ray Allen will find out next Thursday night if they'll be joining the Big Ticket and Doc Rivers in New Orleans when All-Star reserves are announced on TNT.

On the injury front, James Posey (finger) did not participate in Friday morning's shootaround and will likely sit out again tonight but Rivers said he may be ready to go for Sunday's game in Orlando. Additionally, Brian Scalabrine was not at today's shootaround (sick).