KG and Company Take on Wolves at the Target Center

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Boston Celtics (11-2) at Minnesota Timberwolves (2-8)Friday, November 21
8:00 PM ET
Game 14, Road Game 6
TV:  CSN HD, KSTC-45, NBA LP 755
Radio:  WEEI
Target Center

Game Thread    l     Chat     

Wolves Blogs:    TWolves Blog    l     Canis Hoopus      

The Celtics have a quick turnaround after playing the Pistons in Boston last night, as they had to board a plane and prepare to play the Timberwolves in Minnesota tonight.   The Celtics had an easy time with the Pistons, though, and no starter played more than 28 minutes so they should be fairly fresh for this game.

Last season, the Celtics swept the series with the Wolves for the first time since the 1995-96 season.   But, it wasn't easy as they won both games by a total of just 3 points.     The Wolves have started off slowly this season in spite of an upgrade in talent over the summer.   They  beat the Sixers on Wednesday to end an 8 game losing streak and will be feeling pretty good about themselves entering this game. 

This is KG's first game against his former team in Minnesota.  He was injured last season when the Celtics visited the Target Center.   Although the Wolves fans want their team to win, they will have some mixed feelings as the player they loved and cheered for over 12 seasons will be on the opposition.  It should be  emotional  for KG but as he greets the fans but beyond that, don't expect him to have any warm feelings for his former team.

Probable Starting Matchups

PG:    Rajon Rondo vs Sebastian Telfair
SG:     Ray Allen vs Mike Miller
SF:     Paul Pierce vs Ryan Gomes
PF:     Kevin Garnett vs Al Jefferson
C:       Kendrick Perkins vs Jason Collins  

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Sebastian Telfair
At one point, Rondo was behind Telfair in the rotation and Rondo eventually surpassed Telfair.  Telfair is fast and will make Rondo work on the defensive end, but he isn't known for his defense and so Rondo needs to be aggressive on the offensive end. 


  vs 

Kevin Garnett vs Al Jefferson

This is a matchup of one of the best all time vs one of the best young power forwards who may one day be considered one of the best.   KG should get some love from the fans in Minny and that will hopefully spur him to a good game.  This will be a great matchup.

Honorable Mention  
Paul Pierce vs Ryan Gomes
These two have gone up against each other in practice many times when they were teammates and so they know each other well.  Should be a good matchup with Pierce's experience winning out over Gomes' youth   

Team Connections
Of all the teams in the NBA, these two teams are probably the most connected after the big trades between them.
 Kevin McHale, the Wolves GM, was one of the original Big 3 of the Celtics.
 KG played for the Wolves from 1995-2007 and was traded to the Celtics in the trade that took Big Al Jefferson, among others, to Minnesota.   
Randy Foye, Al Jefferson, and Ryan Gomes were drafted by the Celtics.
Sebastian Telfair played for the Celtics in '06-07.
Wolves assistant coaches Jerry Sichting and Ed Pinkney are former Celtics. 
Mike Miller played for Doc in Orlando.
Jason Collins was a teammate of Scal's in New Jersey
Ray Allen and Calvin Booth were teammates in Seattle
Ray Allen was drafted by the Wolves in the 1996 draft

X-Factor
Former Celtics and Wolf
This should be an emotional game for KG.  This will be his first time playing in Minnesota since the trade as he missed last season because of injury.   He will be fired up to play well against his former team and in front of the fans who still love him and should fire up the Celtics as well.   On the other hand,  Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Sebastian Telfair will all be fired up to try to beat their former team as well.    It should be another close game.   

Also to be considered is the fact that the Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games.   The starters were able to get a lot of rest in their easy win over the Pistons, but the late night and travel may be a factor in their  play.