Friday, 6:00 p.m., TD Garden Where to Watch: ESPN Listen: 830 WCCO
The Wolves are hoping to bounce back from a tough loss against the Nets on
Wednesday on Friday night against Kyrie Irving and the Celtics.
Minnesota goes into the game with a 24-15 record, fourth in the West.
Boston is 31-10, first in the East.
This is the Wolves’ last road game before a five-game homestand. Minnesota
doesn’t hit the road against until Jan. 16.
Coming Off Of . . .
The Wolves are coming off a 98-97 road loss to the Nets in Brooklyn on Wednesday
night. Jimmy Butler led the Wolves with 30 points and two steals. Andrew Wiggins
added 17 points and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 16 points and
10 rebounds. Tyus Jones scored 11 points and had two steals. Jamal Crawford led
the bench with 10 points.
The Celtics are coming off a 102-88 home win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Terry Rozier led Boston with 20 points off the bench. Jayson Tatum added 15
points and five rebounds. Marcus Smart scored 15 as well. Jaylen Brown finished
with 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Kyrie Irving finished with 11
points, nine rebounds and six assists. Al Horford rounded things out with 11
points and nine rebounds.
Last Matchup . . .
The Wolves were 0-2 against the Celtics last season. The last game came on March
15 in Boston. The Celtics won 117-104 behind 27 points from Isaiah Thomas.
Horford added 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Avery Bradley finished
with 18 points. Smart finished with 10 points and six assists. Kelly Olynyk also
scored 10 points.
Ricky Rubio led the Wolves with 23 points and seven assists. Wiggins added 21
points, as did Shabazz Muhammad off the bench. Towns finished with 17 points and
14 rebounds.
Key Matchup: Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Al Horford
In his third season, Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
In four career games against the Celtics, Towns is averaging 24.3 points and
15.3 rebounds per game while shooting 56.5 percent from the field.
In his 11th season and second in Boston, Horford is averaging 13.6 points, 7.9
rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the field and
a career-high 43.1 percent from the 3-point line. In 16 career games against the
Wolves, Horford is averaging 16.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while
shooting 53.4 percent from the field.
Injury Report
Celtics:
Semi Ojeleye (back) and Gordon Hayward (ankle) are out. Aron Baynes (ankle) is
probable.
Timberwolves:
Jeff Teague (knee) is out.
Projected Starters
Celtics:
PG – Irving, SG – Brown, SF – Tatum, PF – Morris, C – Horford
Timberwolves:
PG – Jones, SG – Wiggins, SF – Butler, PF – Gibson, C – Towns
Player: Jimmy Butler
Player: Jamal Crawford
Player: Taj Gibson
Player: Tyus Jones
Player: Jeff Teague
Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
Player: Andrew Wiggins
Player: Aron Baynes
Player: Jaylen Brown
Player: Gordon Hayward
Player: Al Horford
Player: Kyrie Irving
Player: Marcus Morris
Player: Semi Ojeleye
Player: Terry Rozier
Player: Marcus Smart
Player: Jayson Tatum
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-celtics-1
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Jamal
Crawford, Taj Gibson, Tyus Jones, Jeff Teague, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew
Wiggins, Aron Baynes, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Kyrie Irving,
Marcus Morris, Semi Ojeleye, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Boston
Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves
Media Thumbnail:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/timberwolves/sites/default/files/sr-1-5-2018.jpg
Taxonomy: Scouting Report
Story Link: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/scouting-report-wolves-celtics-1
