Everything went according to plan for pretty much 48 minutes. That’s not saying they played hard for 48 minutes.
But, for a blow out, it was surprisingly entertaining game. It had some tremendous plays, and it even had the expected and now patented “We’re a bit bored” Celtic let down in the second half.
Paul Pierce was a perfect 6 for 6 from the three point line, took game honors with 29 points and led 7 Celtics in double figures. Ray Allen supported with 20 points and 3 of 6 three pointers himself. Tony Allen has another solid overall game, finishing 3rd with 15 points and capable defense off the bench. The returning TA has been making an impact every game so far.
If you’re not getting what I’m saying, let me be clear. The Celtics blew out the Wolves in the first half with ridiculous ‘you are nothing’ numbers like…
- a 66-41 score.
- Like .625 shooting to .312 shooting.
- Like 16 Paul Pierce points.
- Like 6 blocked shots and 4 steals.
- Like old school Celtic fast breaking to the tune of 22 points.
Seriously. For a while, I thought I might see John Havlicek come off the bench. It was that fast and that good.
For those having a hard time figuring it out, that means that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, as good as you think they are, are… among the rest of the Wolves… slow to get back.
You saw Kendrick Perkins blocking 3 shots, getting 6 rebounds, yet out there leading the break and finishing them off a few times. Rajon Rondo was pushing the ball and making those synchronized sliver passes that only he can. Looking like the Celtic version of the boss, Rajon Rondo was born to run. He had 9 assists by half time, including a few advanced basketball physics… ‘how’d he do thats?’
Like the 76ers game, the Green Team started strong, then played entirely different for much of the second half.
After smothering the entire pack early, the Wolves scored 63 second half points, while they shot 54% on 23 of 42 attempts. They outscored the Celtics by 7 in the second half and with four of the Celtic starters back on the floor with 5 minutes to go in the game, the Wolves trimmed the lead to 12 points.
The Celtics had just 3 fast break points in the second half and didn’t look that all that interested in playing defense, either.
Let’s understand. The Timberwolves with Kevin Love back are a better team than they were. They were 2-16 before he came back. They are 3-7 since his return. That’s not that impressive, but there is a difference. But the Celtics could have destroyed them, even worse than it turned out. But that is this years Celtics.
The Celtics ran out, literally, to that big lead in the first half, then coasted home after a slight scare in the 4th quarter caused Doc Rivers to put the starters back in. Memories were fresh of the second half swoon to Philly resulting in a home loss. A similar second half let down saw a 26 point lead shrink to within striking distance with a little over 5 minutes left. That was enough to give fans, and Doc Rivers a ‘cause to pause’.
Unlike the 76ers’game, that is where it ended. They kicked it back into gear enough in order to win going away against one of the worst teams in the league. But… did you get your money’s worth? You bet.
Unlike the last game against the 76ers, the Celtics ended up playing with enough urgency to keep the Wolves at bay the entire game.
Final push
After the gap closed to 12, Tony Allen made a lay-up off a Rasheed pass for his 15th points of the game. Ray came in for Tony. Sheed hit two foul shots. Kevin Garnett still has that jump shot on automatic and hit his 4th shot on only his 5th attempt of the game for his tenth and final points. Rondo drove and kicked to Ray for a missed three, then came down and did it again, this time with Pierce, who hit his 6th straight three point bomb of the game. Later Ray Allen drained a three for a 118-98 lead with 2:40 left. Game over. Send in the subs.
Play of the game
Eddie House touch passed a steal to himself as he started to head down court. It was going out of bounds, but House got to it and threw it behind his back perfectly to a running Tony Allen. Allen headed for the paint and was met at the rim by 6’ 9” Cory Brewer, where TA posterized Brewer with a vicious slam.
The Celtics also had a beautiful fast break where Rondo zeroed in on Tony Allen, who was at the rim. Tony dropped to Kendrick coming from the other side for the slam.
The Celtics were generous with their passing all evening, finishing with 34 assists on 42 made baskets. Rajon Rondo led with 15 assists, but Eddie House and Paul Pierce added 4 more dimes each.
Pierce had a solid all around game with 7 rebounds to go with his 29 points and 4 assists.
Kendrick Perkins finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 15 assists, 3 steals and 13 points, including a few jump shots. He also got another technical foul.
Numbers
The Celtics had a season high 25 fast beak points, but gave up 19 to the Timberwolves.
The Celtics had 17 points off turnovers to the Wolves 21.
The Timberwolves are a different team rebounding with Love back and had 12 offensive boards to the Celtics 4. Love had 5 of those.
The Celtics scored just 17 second chance points to Minny’s 21.
The Wolves outscored the Celtics in the paint 50-42.
Considering how easy the Celtics gained control, the let down was understandable. For a player that has a reputation as a defensive player, how Damien Wilkins (and Cory Brewer) left Paul Pierce open so much at the three point line is hard to imagine. Pierce is deadly from the arc this season and should never be left alone there. Yet, he had a lot of time to shoot those daggers.
Just one of the many problems the Wolves are dealing with. The Celtics move to 20-5 and meet the Pacers on Tuesday night at home.
