Game #47 - Preview: Celtics @ Timberwolves

Boston Celtics
Record: 37-9
Last Ten Games: 7-3
Points scored per game: 99.8
Points allowed per game: 89.0
Pace Factor: 90.4 (20th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 109.9 (7th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 98.0 (1st of 30)

Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 10-37
Last Ten Games: 5-5
Points scored per game: 93.8
Points allowed per game: 101.1
Pace Factor: 92.3 (12th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 101.6 (27th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 109.5 (27th of 30)

Hat tip to basketball-reference.com for info on the Celtics and the Clippers.

Rajon Rondo vs. Sebastian Telfair
Ray Allen vs. Marko Jaric
Paul Pierce vs. Corey Brewer
Brian Scalabrine vs. Ryan Gomes
Kendrick Perkins vs. Al Jefferson

Match Ups
Back in 2003 Rajon Rondo chose to attend Kentucky partly because Louisville held a scholarship for Sebastian Telfair. Of course Telfair jumped straight to the pros and Rondo played two seasons as a Wildcat. Fast forward to October 2006 where Rondo and Telfair were competing for the Boston Celtics' starting point guard job. Sixteen months later and Telfair is Minnesota and Rondo's game has taken a quantum leap forward.

It's still a little odd that Al Jefferson plays center for the Wolves. That's what happens when a team employs Theo Ratliff and Michael Doleac. Unfortunately for Jefferson that puts him up against Perk who outscored the former Celtic the last time these two teams met. Perk also grabbed a pivotal offensive rebound and threw in the game-winning basket. If Perk can get the better of Jefferson again don't expect Minnesota to pull this one out.  

Schedule

Minnesota has been off since Monday. Boston traveled to Cleveland to get LeBroned on Tuesday and followed it up with a home victory against the Clippers on Wednesday. The Timberwolves are at home and rested. I'll give them a slight advantage.

Interesting Point

Michael Doleac missed 7 games in a row with the flu. That's a virus not messing around.

National TV

You think ESPN is upset that Kevin Garnett will only be there for a pre game standing ovation?

Another overplayed angle from out of Minnesota

Randy Foye versus Brandon Roy. At this point it is way too easy to give Roy the nod. However, to be fair Foye has missed a substantial amount of time. Regardless Foye still must establish himself as a legitimate NBA player.

I have nothing else to say about this game.