Celtics-Timberwolves Preview

By MATT BECKER
Posted Mar 26 2011 2:06PM

In the last few days, the slumping Boston Celtics have bowed out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Another loss could drop them to third place for the first time since the first week of November.

Trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak in nearly a year, the Celtics hope to continue their dominance over a Minnesota Timberwolves team that could have Kevin Love back Sunday night at the Target Center.

Boston (50-21) was tied with Chicago atop the East on Monday but has since lost back-to-back home games to fall behind the Bulls. The Celtics are now just one-half game ahead of third-place Miami, and they would fall from the No. 2 spot Sunday if they lose and the Heat beat Houston. Boston hasn't been in third place since it was 3-1 on Nov. 2.

The Celtics would seemingly have a good chance of remaining in second, having won eight straight over Minnesota (17-56) since a 109-107 loss Feb. 11, 2007 - back when Kevin Garnett was still on the Timberwolves - but they've had many close calls.

Four of the last seven meetings have been decided by three points or less, and the Celtics needed to score 19 of the game's final 27 points to beat Minnesota at home 96-93 on Jan. 3.

Love had 24 rebounds in that game but was held to 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting. Minnesota is 1-18 when Love scores 15 or less, including losses the last two games as he sat out with a strained groin, but the league's rebounding leader could return Sunday.

"That's up to our medical staff to determine," coach Kurt Rambis said. "That's up to him to determine, too."

His return might make it harder on the Celtics to avoid yet another defeat to an inferior opponent. They are coming off Friday's 83-81 loss to a sub-.500 Charlotte team which had lost 10 of 12.

Boston also has lost to Memphis, Houston, New Jersey, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers in the last 2 1/2 weeks.

"The way we're playing shocks me. Our attitude shocks me," coach Doc Rivers said. "I just think we've become very, very selfish, not just as far as trying to get our own (shots), but everything is about how we're playing individually, instead of how the team is playing."

Friday's loss was especially discouraging, as the Celtics allowed the Bobcats to rally from 13 points down in the fourth quarter. Boston, which hasn't lost three in a row since March 28-April 2, 2010, was outscored 30-15 in the final period and let Charlotte hit 10 of 15 shots.

"Our defense really broke down in the fourth quarter," Paul Pierce said. "Regardless of however our offense is going - it's been struggling as of late - we still should be able to put together a defensive run."

The offense hasn't been helping matters, averaging 86.0 points while failing to reach the century mark in the last nine games. The Celtics haven't gone 10 in a row without cracking triple digits since an 11-game stretch from Jan. 20-Feb. 6, 2006.

Rajon Rondo averages a conference-best 11.4 assists but only 7.4 over the past eight games while averaging 5.8 points on 29.2 percent shooting.

Boston theoretically should have better luck offensively against a Minnesota team allowing a league-worst 107.1 points per game, but it didn't have much success in the first meeting.

The Timberwolves, surrendering an average of 111.2 points during a six-game skid, are coming off a 111-103 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday.

Anthony Randolph had 24 points and 15 rebounds starting in place of Love for the second straight game.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Pierce, Celtics outlast Timberwolves

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Mar 27 2011 10:41PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Another enormous lead had slipped away for the Boston Celtics, and a loss potentially even more damaging than the last awaited.

That's when Paul Pierce shed a whole game's worth of poor shooting and Kevin Garnett followed with two of his go-to moves to finish off his former team.

Pierce had 23 points and seven rebounds, and the Celtics held on for an 85-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Garnett had 13 points, 13 rebounds and thousands of fans who turned out to cheer for the former face of the Timberwolves franchise.

One game after giving away a 13-point lead in a home loss to the stumbling Charlotte Bobcats, the Celtics led by 25 early in the second quarter, but trailed by two midway through the fourth before Pierce and Garnett lifted them to the victory.

"You've got to work to win them all," Garnett said. "Tonight was no different."

Michael Beasley had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who were missing All-Star Kevin Love for the third straight game because of a strained left groin.

Anthony Tolliver's 3-pointer gave Minnesota an improbable 73-72 lead with just over 5 minutes to play, but Pierce came back with a 3-pointer and drive to take back the lead. KG added a turnaround from the baseline - the kind of move these fans saw him pull off for 12 seasons in Minnesota - and another soft jumper to hold off the Wolves.

"I feel like we showed a lot of character," said Beasley, whose team has lost seven straight. "We could've just let them beat us by 60 points. But we fought back and gave ourselves a chance to win the last two minutes. Of course we wanted to win, but it didn't turn out that way. A lot of guys played well, and we learned a lot from this game."

The Celtics played without starting point guard Rajon Rondo, who strained his right pinky finger in practice on Saturday. Delonte West filled in well with eight points and five assists to help Boston avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season.

Darko Milicic had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Tolliver added 16 points and 15 boards for the Wolves, who trailed 38-13 in the second.

Coach Doc Rivers lit into his veteran unit after the Celtics loss to Charlotte on Friday night, calling them selfish pouters who are feeling sorry for themselves. It was an eye-opening assessment of a team that appeared to be hitting a wall with the postseason just a few weeks away.

Six losses in 10 games allowed the surging Bulls to jump into the top spot in the East, and the Celtics started the day 2 1/2 games behind Chicago in the conference.

Rivers' blistering appeared to wake the Celtics up early. Playing the kind of hard-nosed defense that has been their calling card for the Garnett years, they ripped off a 23-3 run in the first period to jump out to a huge lead.

"I thought we had a terrific first quarter," Rivers said. "The ball was hopping and we kept the game simple. But then we started outthinking ourselves out there."

Without Love in the lineup, the Wolves missed 22 of their first 27 shots and were getting pounded on the boards. Anthony Randolph, who had averaged 27.5 points and 13 rebounds in his two previous starts in Love's place, played just 3 1/2 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble.

Boston also scored the first six points of the second quarter for a 38-13 lead - much to the delight of scores of fans wearing Celtic green - and the nose-diving Wolves looked to be well on their way to another uncompetitive night at Target Center.

But the Wolves gradually started chipping away at the lead as the first half closed, cutting the deficit to 13 points at the break. Milicic's hustle on the offensive glass jump-started them midway through the third period, starting a 22-6 run that tied the game at 62 just before the fourth quarter.

"I loved the way that they got themselves back in the ballgame," Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said. "They fought, they scratched, they clawed, they gave themselves a chance to win, and I was really proud of how they were able to do that."

Milicic's layup with just over 8 minutes to play gave Minnesota its first lead of the game, 70-68, and the Wolves all of a sudden were outshooting the Celtics after their putrid start.

"That was resiliency I haven't really seen all year," Tolliver said.

But after Pierce stabilized the Celtics, Garnett added hit his two big jumpers, and forced a turnover by Milicic, and the Celtics breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"They made us sweat," Pierce said. "We were up 20. I'm just happy we got the win."

NOTES: Timberwolves backup C Nikola Pekovic missed the game with a hip injury. ... A Wolves win would have tied the largest comeback in franchise history. They beat the Charlotte Hornets after trailing by 25 points on March 1, 1996. ... Nenad Krstic had 11 points and six boards for Boston. ... Rivers said he was unsure if Rondo would be able to play at Indiana on Monday night.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Celtics-Timberwolves notebook

By Jim Beilby, for NBA.com
Posted Sunday March 27, 2011 11:12PM

THE FACTS: After losing their last game at home to the Charlotte Bobcats, the Boston Celtics didn't want to start a four game road trip with another loss to a team with a losing record. But, despite building a 20-point first quarter lead, it took some big shots and big stops in the final three-and-a-half minutes of the game for the Celtics to defeat the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves, 85-82. With the victory, Boston has now defeated Minnesota nine straight times. More importantly, Boston avoided what would have been their first three game losing streak.

QUOTABLE: "I thought we have a terrific first quarter. The ball was hopping, we kept the game simple, and then I thought we started over-thinking ourselves out on the floor. I didn't like our third quarter defense. I think we gave up 28 points and our number is 22. Never over 22. So that bothered me. Other than that, we'll take the win."
-- Boston head coach Doc Rivers.

THE STAT: In the first three quarters, Paul Pierce had 11 points on 3-for-9 shooting. He doubled that in the final quarter, scoring twelve points and making all five of his free throws.

TURNING POINT: After a 21-7 run by Wolves in the third quarter to retake the lead, the game remained close until Pierce retook the lead for the Celtics, 75-73, with a three-point play with 3:26 in the game. And then, on the four of the next five possessions, Pierce and Kevin Garnett made big shots and built a five point lead with 20 seconds to play.

HOT: In his last two games, Minnesota forward Anthony Randolph has averaged 27.5 points per game and 13.0 rebounds per game, including a career-high 31 points against Dallas on Thursday. He has scored in double figures in each of his last five games.

NOT: In tonight's game, Randolph scored three points on 0-for-5 shooting and he had four fouls and three turnovers. Evidently Doc Rivers' plan to halt Randolph's hot streak worked: "No deep post and make him put it on the floor to score."

INSIDE THE ARENA: The Target Center audience had significantly more people wearing Celtic green and white than the Timberwolves colors. And at many times during the game the fans cheering for the visiting Celtics were louder than the fans cheering for Wolves.

NOTABLE: Minnesota is seeking the cement it's reputation as Winter sports purgatory. The four big Minnesota winter sports teams (Wolves, Wild, Gophers' basketball, and Gophers' hockey) have combined for a 22-game losing streak (seven for Wolves, eight for Wild, five for Gophers' basketball, and two for Gophers' hockey). The last victory by a major Minnesota sports team was by the Timberwolves who defeated the Utah Jazz on March 11, 122-101.

UP NEXT: For the Wolves, Wednesday vs. Chicago, Friday vs. Miami, Saturday @ Memphis. For the Celtics, Monday @ Indiana, Thursday @ San Antonio, Friday @ Atlanta.

• Celtics: O'Neal, O'Neal, Wafer
• Timberwolves: Pekovic

• Celtics: --
• Timberwolves: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #41 Ken Mauer, #34 Kevin Cutler, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #56 Mark Ayotte
• Attendance: 19178
• Duration: 2:19

Boston Celtics (51-21)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-57)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Milicic vs Krstic (Randolph gains possession)
	11:41	Randolph Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:39
West Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)	11:23 [BOS 2-0]
	11:09 [MIN 2-2]	Beasley Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	10:54	Randolph Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:54 [BOS 3-2]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	10:54
	10:54	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:38	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
	10:37	Team Rebound
	10:33	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:32
West Pullup Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)	10:24 [BOS 5-2]
	10:03	Milicic Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (1 ST)
Krstic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Beasley (1 BLK)	09:55
	09:54	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:44 [MIN 5-5]	Beasley 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Krstic Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)	09:29 [BOS 7-5]
	09:29	Randolph Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	09:29	Randolph Substitution replaced by Tolliver
Krstic Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)	09:29 [BOS 8-5]
	09:15	Milicic Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Garnett (2 ST)
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST)	09:10 [BOS 11-5]
	08:49	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:47
Krstic Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)	08:36 [BOS 13-5]
	08:20	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:19
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)	08:09 [BOS 15-5]
	08:03	Team Timeout : Regular
	07:56	Beasley Floating Jump shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:55
	07:50	Tolliver Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:50
Team Rebound	07:50
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	07:50 [BOS 16-5]
	07:36	Milicic Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:35
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	07:16
	07:16	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:57	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:55
Garnett Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (3 AST)	06:50 [BOS 18-5]
	06:32	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
	06:30	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	06:21	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	06:20
Krstic Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Beasley (2 BLK)	06:10
Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	06:09
	05:59	Ridnour Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Krstic Substitution replaced by Davis	05:59
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	05:59 [BOS 19-5]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	05:59 [BOS 20-5]
	05:47	Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:West (1 ST)
Garnett Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: West (4 AST)	05:42 [BOS 22-5]
	05:34	Team Timeout : Short
Pierce Substitution replaced by Green	05:34
	05:25 [MIN 8-22]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Green Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)	05:04 [BOS 24-8]
	04:53	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Team Rebound	04:51
Green Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	04:34 [BOS 26-8]
	04:10	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:09
Allen Pullup Jump shot: Made (5 PTS)	03:59 [BOS 28-8]
Garnett Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:38
West Substitution replaced by Arroyo	03:38
Garnett Substitution replaced by Krstic	03:38
	03:38	Johnson Substitution replaced by Ellington
	03:27	Milicic Layup Shot: Missed
	03:26	Beasley Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	03:24 [MIN 10-28]	Beasley Jump Bank Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Allen Pullup Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)	03:00 [BOS 30-10]
Green Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	02:40
Team Timeout : Regular	02:40
	02:40	Milicic Substitution replaced by Webster
	02:40	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Flynn
	02:40	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:40	Team Rebound
	02:40 [MIN 11-30]	Beasley Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Arroyo Pullup Jump shot: Missed	02:17
	02:16	Beasley Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	01:55	Beasley Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:54
Krstic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Tolliver (1 BLK)	01:32
Krstic Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:31
Krstic Layup Shot: Missed	01:29
	01:28	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
Green Foul : Personal (2 PF)	01:23
	01:12 [MIN 13-30]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Allen Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Arroyo (1 AST)	00:56.9 [BOS 32-13]
	00:41.9	Ellington Jump Shot: Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:40.9
Davis Jump Shot: Missed Block: Tolliver (2 BLK)	00:27.9
Arroyo Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	00:26.9
Krstic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Beasley (3 BLK)	00:24.9
Arroyo Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	00:22.7
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	00:17.9
	00:16.8	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	00:00.8	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-21)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-57)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Green Jump Hook Shot: Missed	11:40
	11:39	Flynn Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:32	Ellington Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	11:31
Davis Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)	11:20 [BOS 34-13]
	11:01	Beasley Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:00
	10:47	Ellington Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	10:47	Beasley Substitution replaced by Randolph
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	10:31
Team Rebound	10:31
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	10:31
	10:16	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	10:15
Green Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Arroyo (2 AST)	10:08 [BOS 36-13]
	09:55	Ellington 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:54	Webster Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:51	Webster Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:51
	09:51	Randolph Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)
	09:51	Randolph Substitution replaced by Milicic
Green Substitution replaced by Pavlovic	09:51
	09:41	Flynn Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	09:37	Tolliver Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Krstic Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)	09:37 [BOS 37-13]
Krstic Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	09:37 [BOS 38-13]
	09:23	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	09:22
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	09:13
	09:12	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:00 [MIN 15-38]	Milicic Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (1 AST)
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	08:44
	08:44
	08:44	Ellington Substitution replaced by Beasley
	08:34	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:32
Davis Layup Shot: Missed	08:09
	08:08	Webster Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:56	Flynn Jump Shot: Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	07:55
Davis Layup Shot: Missed	07:42
	07:41	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:22 [MIN 17-38]	Flynn Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Webster (1 AST)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	06:56
	06:55	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:37 [MIN 19-38]	Milicic Reverse Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	06:10
Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett	06:10
Arroyo Substitution replaced by West	06:10
	05:54 [MIN 21-38]	Tolliver Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Beasley (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:45
Pavlovic Substitution replaced by Allen	05:45
	05:28	Flynn Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
West Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	05:28 [BOS 39-21]
West Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	05:28 [BOS 40-21]
	05:20	Flynn Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	05:19
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	05:08
	05:07	Flynn Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:01	Beasley Layup Shot: Missed
	05:00	Beasley Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	04:56	Webster Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)
	04:56	Flynn Substitution replaced by Ridnour
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Garnett (3 AST)	04:41 [BOS 43-21]
	04:25	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	04:24	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	04:19 [MIN 23-43]	Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (2 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	03:51
	03:50	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
Pierce Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	03:43
Krstic Substitution replaced by Davis	03:43
	03:43 [MIN 24-43]	Tolliver Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	03:43 [MIN 25-43]	Tolliver Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	03:25
	03:24	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	03:18	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	03:17
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	03:09
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	03:08
	02:54	Team Timeout : Regular
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Beasley (1 ST)	02:52
	02:29 [MIN 28-43]	Webster 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Beasley (2 AST)
Davis Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:04 [BOS 45-28]
	01:43 [MIN 31-45]	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
Garnett Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	01:22
	01:21	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)
	01:10	Tolliver Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
	00:56.1	Webster Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	00:56.1 [BOS 46-31]
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	00:56.1 [BOS 47-31]
Davis Foul : Shooting Block (1 PF)	00:45.6
	00:45.6	Tolliver Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:45.6	Team Rebound
	00:45.6 [MIN 32-47]	Tolliver Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Missed	00:33.9
	00:32.9	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:8)
	00:16.4 [MIN 34-47]	Beasley Running Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	00:09.7
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	00:01.0
	00:00.2	Beasley Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
End of 2nd Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-21)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-57)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	11:43
	11:42	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:26	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	11:25
West Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	11:15 [BOS 49-34]
	10:50 [MIN 36-49]	Beasley Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed Block: Johnson (1 BLK)	10:28
	10:27	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:16	Randolph Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	10:04
	10:03	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Pierce Foul : Personal Block (2 PF)	09:55
	09:39	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
	09:38	Ridnour Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	09:36 [MIN 38-49]	Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Randolph (1 ST)	09:21
West Foul : Personal (1 PF)	09:17
	09:12 [MIN 40-49]	Milicic Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:12
	09:12 [MIN 41-49]	Milicic Free Throw 1 of 1 (7 PTS)
Krstic Slam Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)	08:58 [BOS 51-41]
	08:49	Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:West (2 ST)
Pierce Driving Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: West (5 AST)	08:44 [BOS 53-41]
Krstic Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:24
	08:24	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	08:24	Team Rebound
	08:24	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Krstic Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	08:24
Krstic Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Garnett (4 AST)	08:08 [BOS 55-41]
Krstic Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	08:01
	08:01 [MIN 42-55]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	08:01	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:01
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	07:46
	07:45	Beasley Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	07:28 [MIN 44-55]	Beasley Pullup Jump shot: Made (16 PTS)
West 3pt Shot: Missed	07:13
	07:12	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Krstic Foul : Personal (3 PF)	06:58
Krstic Substitution replaced by Davis	06:58
	06:58 [MIN 45-55]	Milicic Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	06:58 [MIN 46-55]	Milicic Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	06:43
	06:42	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:31 [MIN 48-55]	Johnson Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (4 AST)
West Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Milicic (1 ST)	06:17
	06:13	Randolph Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Davis (1 ST)
West Layup Shot: Missed	06:08
Garnett Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	06:07
Garnett Tip Shot: Made (8 PTS)	06:07 [BOS 57-48]
	05:36	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	05:36	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:36	Randolph Substitution replaced by Tolliver
Pierce Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO)	05:26
Garnett Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:13
	05:13 [MIN 49-57]	Tolliver Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	05:13	Tolliver Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	05:10	Milicic Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Pierce Substitution replaced by Green	04:59
	04:57	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
	04:55	Milicic Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	04:49 [MIN 52-57]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (5 AST)
Garnett Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	04:27
	04:12 [MIN 54-57]	Milicic Jump Hook Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (3 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	04:10
Davis Jump Shot: Missed Block: Tolliver (3 BLK)	03:56
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	03:55
Green 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)	03:50 [BOS 60-54]
	03:35	Tolliver Jump Shot: Missed
	03:34	Team Rebound
	03:20 [MIN 57-60]	Beasley 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (4 AST)
	03:05	Milicic Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	02:58
	02:56	Team Rebound
	02:41	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)	02:39
	02:35	Ridnour Violation:Kicked Ball
Garnett Substitution replaced by Krstic	02:35
West Substitution replaced by Arroyo	02:35
Davis Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	02:26 [BOS 62-57]
	02:04	Milicic Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:03
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	01:39
	01:38	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	01:30 [MIN 59-62]	Milicic Jump Bank Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (6 AST)
Allen Jump Bank Shot: Missed	01:14
	01:13	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)
	01:07	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
	01:05	Beasley Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	00:57.2 [MIN 61-62]	Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Beasley (3 AST)
	00:42.1	Milicic Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Krstic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Milicic (1 BLK)	00:33.9
	00:32.9	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:10)
Krstic Foul : Personal (4 PF)	00:14.2
	00:14.2 [MIN 62-62]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
Krstic Substitution replaced by Pavlovic	00:14.2
	00:14.2	Milicic Substitution replaced by Randolph
	00:14.2	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:14.2
	00:00.8	Johnson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Arroyo Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	00:00.8 [BOS 63-62]
Arroyo Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	00:00.8 [BOS 64-62]
End of 3rd Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-21)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-57)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Arroyo Foul : Personal (1 PF)	11:47
	11:39 [MIN 64-64]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS)
	11:26	Randolph Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Pierce Jump Shot: Missed	11:21
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	11:20
Davis Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	11:18 [BOS 66-64]
	11:04 [MIN 66-66]	Beasley Pullup Jump shot: Made (23 PTS)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	10:36
Pavlovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:35
Arroyo Jump Shot: Missed	10:24
	10:23	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:00	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	09:59	Team Rebound
	09:49	Randolph Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)
	09:40	Beasley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	09:40 [BOS 67-66]
	09:40	Tolliver Substitution replaced by Milicic
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	09:40 [BOS 68-66]
	09:26 [MIN 68-68]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS)
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Missed	09:00
	08:59	Milicic Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	08:49	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	08:48
	08:48	Milicic Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	08:48
Pavlovic Substitution replaced by Garnett	08:48
Pierce Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	08:39
	08:38	Milicic Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	08:19	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:18	Milicic Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
	08:07 [MIN 70-68]	Milicic Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (7 AST)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	07:40
Garnett Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	07:39
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Garnett (5 AST)	07:36 [BOS 71-70]
	07:13	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
	07:10	Beasley Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	07:05	Ridnour Floating Jump shot: Missed
	07:04	Randolph Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:01	Randolph Layup Shot: Missed
	07:00	Team Rebound
Arroyo Substitution replaced by West	07:00
	07:00	Randolph Substitution replaced by Tolliver
	06:52	Beasley 3pt Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	06:51
	06:37	Milicic Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:37
Team Rebound	06:37
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	06:37 [BOS 72-70]
	06:23	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:3 Def:9)	06:22
Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (5 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)	06:11
	05:56	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)
West 3pt Shot: Missed	05:47
	05:46	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:11)
	05:46	Team Timeout : Regular
Green Substitution replaced by Allen	05:46
	05:36	Beasley Foul : Offensive Charge (2 PF)
	05:36	Beasley Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Garnett Layup Shot: Missed Block: Tolliver (4 BLK)	05:21
	05:20	Beasley Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
	05:05 [MIN 73-72]	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (8 AST)
Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: Milicic (2 BLK)	04:39
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	04:37
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	04:35
	04:34	Milicic Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	04:12	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Missed
	04:10	Beasley Rebound (Off:5 Def:4)
Pierce Foul : Personal (3 PF)	03:51
	03:38	Milicic Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	03:37
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	03:26 [BOS 74-73]
	03:26	Milicic Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
	03:26	Milicic Substitution replaced by Randolph
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 1 (19 PTS)	03:26 [BOS 75-73]
	03:11	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	03:10	Tolliver Rebound (Off:3 Def:11)
	03:10	Tolliver Tip Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:06
Pierce Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS)	02:58 [BOS 77-73]
	02:57	Team Timeout : Short
Team Timeout : Regular	02:57
Allen Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:42
	02:42 [MIN 74-77]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (2 PTS)
	02:42 [MIN 75-77]	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	02:26 [BOS 79-75]
	02:03	Beasley Step Back Jump shot: Missed
	02:02	Ridnour Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	02:00	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:00	Randolph Substitution replaced by Milicic
Pierce Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	01:48
	01:48 [MIN 76-79]	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 2 (26 PTS)
	01:48 [MIN 77-79]	Beasley Free Throw 2 of 2 (27 PTS)
Garnett Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Milicic (2 ST)	01:35
	01:21	Milicic Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)
Garnett Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Pierce (3 AST)	01:07 [BOS 81-77]
	00:51.9	Ridnour Layup Shot: Missed
	00:50.3	Beasley Rebound (Off:6 Def:4)
Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:49.3
	00:49.3	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:49.3	Team Rebound
	00:49.3 [MIN 78-81]	Beasley Free Throw 2 of 2 (28 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	00:30.9
West Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:28.9
	00:19.2	Beasley Foul : Personal Take (3 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (22 PTS)	00:19.2 [BOS 82-78]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (23 PTS)	00:19.2 [BOS 83-78]
	00:19.2	Team Timeout : Short
	00:18.9	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Davis (2 ST)
	00:17.1	Tolliver Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:17.1
Team Rebound	00:17.1
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:17.1
Garnett Rebound (Off:4 Def:9)	00:16.9
	00:12.6	Johnson Foul : Personal Take (2 PF)
Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	00:12.6 [BOS 84-78]
Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	00:12.6 [BOS 85-78]
	00:07.9	Beasley 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:06.7	Tolliver Rebound (Off:4 Def:11)
	00:05.2 [MIN 80-85]	Tolliver Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Pierce Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (6 TO)	00:02.3
	00:00.2 [MIN 82-85]	Tolliver Driving Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS)
End of 4th Quarter

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