Celtics Looking to Bounce Back Against Visiting Timberwolves

It's hard to believe that the Celtics can win 11 consecutive games and then drop one to the Philadelphia 76ers — a squad destined for the middle of the draft lottery. But that's what happened on Friday night, and the Celtics are still reeling.

The C's will need a win on Sunday night to bounce back, and as luck would have it, they're facing another NBA bottom-feeder. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who sit dead last in the Western Conference, are heading to the Garden to face the East-leading Celtics.

When and Where

Sunday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m. ET (CSNE)
TD Garden, Boston, Mass.

Records

Celtics (20-5, 1st place in Atlantic Division)
Timberwolves (5-22, 5th place in Northwest Division)

Head to Head

Kevin Garnett is now 5-0 against his former team, the Timberwolves, a streak dating back to the beginning of the 2007-08 season. Most recently, the C's beat the Wolves last month, pulling off a 92-90 win at the Target Center on Nov. 4. All five Celtics starters scored in double figures in that game, led by Rajon Rondo with 18 points and six assists.

Skinny

Despite having one of the most talented big men in the game offensively in Al Jefferson, the Timberwolves just aren't getting it done on the offensive end this season. They aren't passing well, they aren't shooting well, and it's translated into a 5-22 start. The Wolves might not be the worst team in the NBA, but they're awfully close. They need more talent and more depth to even come near contending in the Western Conference.

Starting Lineups

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins

Timberwolves
Point guard: Jonny Flynn
Shooting guard: Corey Brewer
Small forward: Damien Wilkins
Power forward: Kevin Love
Center: Al Jefferson

Stat Sheet

Celtics
The Celtics are 7-1 against Western Conference teams this season.

They are fourth in the NBA with 220 steals.

Rajon Rondo is fourth in the NBA with 9.5 assists per game.

Paul Pierce is shooting 83.5 percent from the free-throw line this season.

Kendrick Perkins leads the Celtics with 7.8 rebounds per game.

Kevin Garnett is shooting 55.9 percent from the floor, a career high.

Ray Allen is shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range, his worst percentage in 11 seasons.

Timberwolves
The Wolves are 2-11 on the road this season.

They average 98.0 points per 100 possessions, second-lowest in the NBA.

Al Jefferson leads the Wolves with 16.8 points per game.

Kevin Love is averaging 13.0 points and 12.0 rebounds. He has seven double-doubles in nine games.

Jonny Flynn is averaging 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his rookie season.

Corey Brewer is averaging 12.3 points per game on the road this season.

Damien Wilkins is averaging 3.5 rebounds per game, a career high.

Black and Blue

Celtics
Glen Davis is recovering from a broken thumb. He returned to practice Thursday and hopes to play by the beginning of January.

Marquis Daniels has undergone surgery on his left thumb. He hopes to return in February.

Timberwolves
Ryan Gomes has a high left ankle sprain. He is out indefinitely.

Kevin Love missed all of November with a fractured left hand. He returned on Dec. 4 and rejoined the Wolves' starting lineup on Dec. 11. He is now averaging over 30 minutes a game.

This Date in Celtics History

In 1956, the Celtics officially activated Bill Russell, who became eligible to join the team after playing out his commitment to Team USA in the '56 Summer Olympics. Russell went on to lead the Celtics to eight straight championships and 11 in 13 years.

Overheard

"I’m disappointed when anybody gets thrown out of a game. You know, whether he’s right or wrong doesn’t matter — you’ve got to control yourself to stay in the game. But he didn’t."
—Doc Rivers, in Saturday's Boston Globe, on the ejection of Rasheed Wallace from Friday night's loss to Philadelphia.

Press Box

Celtics
Rasheed Wallace's ejection Friday was costly.

Marquis Daniels wants to be back in February.

What if Paul Pierce ran the NBA?

Timberwolves
The Wolves got their fifth win last time out.

Kevin Love is heating up.

Kurt Rambis is an Oscar voter.

NBA
Kobe Bryant rises above the LeBron James rivalry.

Gregg Popovich won his 700th.

Tyreke Evans is having an epic rookie season.

Outlook

The Celtics need to bounce back with a win, and luckily, they've got the right opponent to do just that. The C's have owned the Timberwolves ever since poaching Garnett, their franchise player, and there's no reason that should stop now. Expect another easy victory for the men in green. The next winning streak starts now.