Perkins’ game-high 21 points and, most important, his putback with 16.6
seconds remaining ended the Wolves’ only winning streak of the season
after they positioned themselves for the fourth time in a week to win.
This time, they were undone also by a rookie mistake, too many
offensive rebounds allowed and a game-ending defensive play by Garnett,
who plucked his Celtics No. 5 jersey (the league’s best seller, you
know?) by his thumbs and displayed it to a joyous sellout crowd after
swatting the ball away from Sebastian Telfair.
Wolves record: 7-35
Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site live-blogged the game
For most of the night, it was difficult to tell which team was the
inexperienced one with the worst record in the league and which was the
veteran-stacked squad with the league’s best mark, as the Celtics
amassed 22 turnovers.
Down 86-83, the Celtics missed several shots near the basket before
Pierce converted on a lay-up to bring the Celtics within one with 23.2
seconds left.
Pierce converted on a lay-up to bring the Celtics within one with 23.2
seconds left.
In one of the rarest end-of-game plays you’ll ever see, Corey Brewer
failed to inbound the ball in time and was called for a five-second
violation, giving the Celtics a chance to take the lead.
failed to inbound the ball in time and was called for a five-second
violation, giving the Celtics a chance to take the lead.
Allen drove the lane and misfired on a floater, but Kendrick Perkins
dunked it home to put the Celtics up, 87-86 with 16.6 seconds left.
dunked it home to put the Celtics up, 87-86 with 16.6 seconds left.
On Minnesota’s last possession, the Celtics double-teamed Al Jefferson
and forced him to give it up. Sebastian Telfair couldn’t handle an
errant pass, and Garnett chased the ball past midcourt and knocked it
away as time expired.
and forced him to give it up. Sebastian Telfair couldn’t handle an
errant pass, and Garnett chased the ball past midcourt and knocked it
away as time expired.
The leading vote-getter for next month’s All-Star Game, Garnett
finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds despite leaving the game for
four minutes late in the fourth quarter because of an abdominal strain.
"It felt like I got sniped from the rafters or something, you know,”
Garnett said. "I just had a sharp pain come from my stomach and I just
wanted the doctors to look at it. They looked at it and said I was
fine, so I came back out.”
From the Star Tribune:
55 Total points for the four former Celtics players sent to the
Wolves in the Garnett trade who played Friday. Sebastian Telfair had 18
points, Al Jefferson 15, Ryan Gomes 13 and Gerald Green nine.
Wolves in the Garnett trade who played Friday. Sebastian Telfair had 18
points, Al Jefferson 15, Ryan Gomes 13 and Gerald Green nine.
THIRD QUARTER, 9:47 REMAINING
Garnett and Jefferson, side by side on the
free-throw lane while Kendrick Perkins shoots, jabber at each other
enough that official Jack Nies calls a technical foul on each.
Garnett, staring wide-eyed at the man he replaced in Boston, made loud
reference to 11 years – perhaps to let Jefferson know about his string
of All-Star appearances. Jefferson, never once looking back, responded
with a, “Keep talking,” followed by a choice 12-letter expletive.
reference to 11 years – perhaps to let Jefferson know about his string
of All-Star appearances. Jefferson, never once looking back, responded
with a, “Keep talking,” followed by a choice 12-letter expletive.
Jefferson, worked over by Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, sat in
silence at his locker for a long time after it was over, probably
thinking about what might have been.
“We played well,” he said. “We just made some stupid mistakes at the
end.” Jefferson was held to 15 points, six less than his average.
After the game, the Timberwolves were not hanging their head. Head coach Randy Wittman was proud of his team’s effort — it’s hard to be disappointed when they upset the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and come thisclose to upsetting the league’s best team two nights later. In the T’Wolves locker room, the players seemed ok with the loss and acknowledged their efforts against a tough opponent. There were also still plenty of smiles as former Celtics caught up with members of the Boston media.
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