The Boston Celtics jumped out of the Minnesota mud in the second half to soundly thrash an undersized and inept Timberwolve team, 95-78.
It was another team sharing of the wealth night as Kevin Garnett led 6 players in double figures with a mere 17 points. Rajon Rondo complemented that with another solid game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and made two long distance shots.
Al Jefferson led the Wolves with 23 points. Only one other Wolf (Sebastian Telfair with 13) made double digits.
Tony Allen was second on the team in scoring with 14 points and made his first three pointer of the year in the run and Rajon Rondo made two, yes two, three point shots on the night. His second one came from deep at the buzzer was sounding to end the quarter, emphatically destroying any hope that Minnesota had left. The quarter ended 71-49, Celtics.
Paul Pierce and Powe each had double doubles as Paul tied Leon for team lead with 11 rebounds, while Pierce scored 12 points on just 4 of 8 shooting. Powe added 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting and 5 of his rebounds were offensive.
The Wolves led at half time with a mutually inept 39-36 score. The Wolves kept within 4 points of the Cs until midway of the 3rd quarter. Then the roof fell in as the Celtics took control with a crushing 35-10 third quarter.
The game actually stayed close until Glen Davis went out with his 5th foul with 6:11 left in the 3rd, and Leon Powe entered as Kevin Love made a free throw to draw Minnesota within four at 46-50. From there the Celtics went on 21-3 run to close the quarter. Game over.
Paul Piece contributed 4 free throws, Powe had 4 rebounds and 3 points, while Garnett, Tony Allen and Rondo all added to the total during the 3rd quarter run.
In the first half the ball wasn’t going in for anyone. It continued that way for the Wolves in the second half as they finished shooting .313% and were at a dismal .230 after three.
The Celts had 20 assists to the Wolves 14 for the game. Surprisingly, Minnesota has the second best ‘assisted basket’ average in the league with 24 assists on 37 makes so far this the year. The Celtics’ defense put a stop to that tonight.
The problem is that they are not a good rebounding team, they don’t have a solid point guard, and they need some height. Al Jefferson isn’t the best passer and is stuck trying to do it all himself.
When I See These Two Teams Play
It will forever be known as The Trade. The Celtics, Kevin Garnett, and Al Jefferson revisit the “What Was, What Is, and What Might have Beens” each time the two teams meet.
Tonight we saw little progress by the young Wolves, as the Celtics finally clamped down on them to win going away.
Yet, looking at the two teams together and watch them play each other, you can’t help but reflect on the whole big deal.
Minnesota started last season 3-15 and 5-34 before putting together a decent record of 17-26 to finish the season.
They are 2-9 now and don’t seem to have the toughness to improve much this season. Things could easily change. But I thought from the outset this season that they did not have enough height to help Jefferson.
I know the league is going small, but Craig Smith can’t be your power forward if Jefferson is your center.
Coach Randy Wittman apparently sees that as well. He has been trying to incorporate Jason Collins into the starting line-up recently. That moves Jefferson to power forward, but that isn’t the long term answer either. Jefferson operates best at the center position.
Al Jefferson is still primarily an offensive player. Who knows if that ever changes.
Mike Miller, was a good addition. But they are not using his three point shot and passing ability as much as they should. Only he and Gomes have outside range, yet they aren’t establishing the outside game as much as you think they might. And certainly 4 shot attempts by Miller isn’t going to do it.
Whether it is a question of not having the tough minded difference maker on the Wolves team, or needing a better coach to get the most out of this group is up for debate. My opinion is that Wittman is not the disciplined coach that this group needs.
Yet, I remember Doc Rivers struggling with a similar situation just 2 years ago. Am I wrong?
Either way, this Timberwolves team is not playing up to the talent they do have at the moment.
It is still truly a very different tale of two cities.
