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The Boston Celtics fought back tired legs and low energy to defeat the young and feisty Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 92-90, moving their record to 6-0 on the season.
After absolutely dominating the first five games of the season, the Celtics got all they could handle Wednesday night, allowing the Timberwolves to dictate the tempo while setting an opponent season high in field goal percentage in the process (at a smoking 52% from the field). Coming off a difficult back-to-back stretch which saw the Cs play in Philadelphia on Tuesday and then play Wednesday in Minnesota, the Celtics felt their age in this one, front rimming jumpers left and right and letting the Timberwolves get where ever they wanted on offense. But like any veteran, championship-caliber team, the Celtics found a way to grind out the W down the stretch, keeping the game in reach until their savvy was too much for the young Timberpups to overcome.
Once again, the Celtic second unit, led by Marquis Daniels, helped keep the game close in the first half, after the starters came out sluggish to start the game and allowed Minnesota to score 27 points in the first quarter. In the third quarter, the first unit managed to finally show some signs of life, outscoring Minnesota 31-23 to tie the game going into the final period. The Cs were led by Rajon Rondo, who scored 14 points in the period. Down the stretch, the Celtics relied on their defense to shut the door on Minnesota, with one-time Timberwolf Kevin Garnett making the play of the game, forcing a driving Corey Brewer into a jump ball situation with only 3.3 seconds left on the clock and Minnesota trailing by 2. On the ensuring jump ball, KG tipped the ball into the backcourt and Minnesota's desperation 3 was swatted down by Kendrick Perkins as time expired.
The Timberwolves were led by Oleksiy Pecherov, who dropped a career-high 24 points to go along with 8 rebounds. Former Celtic Al Jefferson looked good coming off last season's ACL tear, and dominated at times on the offensive end, showing an improved 15-foot jump shot and his trademark lightning quick release in the paint. Big Al ended the night with 18 points (on 17 shots), but only grabbed 4 rebounds in 36 minutes. Former Celtic Ryan Gomes had a very solid night with 11 points (on 5 of 7 shooting), with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, all the while playing tough defense on Paul Pierce, limiting him to 10 points on 3-12 shooting.
The Celtics were led by Rajon Rondo, who bounced back from a quiet 1st half (only 2 points on 1-6 shooting) to lead the Cs with 18 points (on 8-16 shooting), to go along with 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Rondo did most of his damage in the paint, burning rookie Johnny Flynn multiple times by dropping below the defense when Flynn tried to double off him. Kendrick Perkins chipped in an efficient 13 points (on 6-7 shooting), 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 32 minutes.
The Celtics fly back to Boston tonight and will play the Phoenix Suns back in Boston on Friday.
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Thursday, 05 November 2009
The Boston Celtics fought back tired legs and low energy to defeat the young and feisty Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 92-90, moving...
© 2010 - New England Sports Blog
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