Game Preview
The Boston Celtics (24-9) roll into Minneapolis riding a one-game win streak and boasting an impressive 72.7% winning percentage on the season. They'll face a Minnesota Timberwolves squad (17-15) that has struggled to find consistency, hovering around a 53% win rate and coming off a narrow loss in their last outing.
While the Timberwolves have shown flashes of promise, the Celtics have been a model of sustained excellence. Boston is averaging a blistering 119.6 points per game, nearly 10 points higher than Minnesota's 109.2 season mark. The Celtics' offensive onslaught is backed by a sizzling 46.1% shooting clip from the field, shading the Timberwolves' 45.9% accuracy.
Boston's prowess extends beyond the arc as well, knocking down a shade under 37% of their three-point attempts. The Timberwolves have been respectable from deep at 37.2%, but the Celtics' long-range barrage could prove decisive. Compounding matters, Minnesota has struggled to contain opponents, surrendering 107.4 points per game compared to Boston's stifling 108.9 points allowed.
While the Celtics have hit a slight rough patch over their last five games (2-3 record), they've been a model of consistency over a larger sample, winning 70% of their last 20 contests. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have been streaky, splitting their last 10 games while grabbing just 55% of the wins in their previous 20 outings.
One area where Minnesota could find an edge is on the glass. The Timberwolves are hauling in nearly 45 rebounds per game over their last five, outpacing the Celtics' 46.8 boards in that span. With Boston turning the ball over just over 12 times recently, Minnesota's ability to crash the offensive boards and create extra possessions could keep them within striking distance.