Vintage Kevin Garnett leads Boston Celtics to easy win over Minnesota Timberwolves 100 – 79 – NBA Recap
Veteran Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett has been burdened with a lot of extra responsibility this season due to the Celtics many injury woes, but KG just keeps on coming up with the goods. On Friday, he turned in another vintage display in the Celtics dominant win over Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.
Boston got ahead early at Garnett’s old hunting ground and didn’t give Minnesota a way back in to the match, eventually closing with a massive 100 – 79 margin.
Garnett was in sublime form, leading all scorers with 24 points. He also had 10 rebounds and 4 assists in yet another double-double effort. Celtics captain Paul Pierce shone as well; he had 21 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.
Young guard Avery Bradley had 17 points while point guard Rajon Rondo tallied 6 with an incredible 17 assists.
Coach Doc Rivers however took more pride in the terrific defensive display of his team, which restricted the Timberwolves to below 80.
"Our defense is who we are ... it takes a ton of discipline to play this team, to take away all the back cuts. I thought our guys did a great job all night."
Minnesota’s talismanic forward Kevin Love was in awe of the Celtics performance after the game. Love picked up his customary double-double, 22 points and 11 rebounds, but wasn’t as effective as he would have wanted to be and admitted that he had a lot to learn from the veterans of Boston.
"You can definitely learn a lot from that team, how hard they play, their mode and how they approach the game at this point of the season. It just didn't seem, myself included, that we had our legs. We were getting good shots, but things just seemed to rattle out and not fall for us."
Luke Ridnour had 15 points for Minnesota while Derrick Williams added 14.
The Celtics got off to a flying start, going on a 17 – 6 run from jump ball that put them in control. Minnesota toiled hard for the rest of the first quarter but still finished behind by double digits, 31 – 20.
The tone was set from then on. The second frame saw the Celtics increase their lead further before Minnesota trimmed it, the first half ending 56 – 45.
There wasn’t any change in the status quo after the interval either. Celtics looked comfortable and Minnesota helpless. The final 12 minutes were even crueller to the home side. Instead of clawing away at the deficit, the home support watched in despair as the Celtics increased their advantage, the game ending 100 – 79.
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