For the third straight game, the Celtics have put together a decent performance. They may have not been full 48 minute performances, but it's something to build on. The green improved to 10-8 after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-94.
The good:
* Believe it or not, the Celtics outrebounded the Wolves. Honestly, this is shocking, even to me. It took a team effort -- 7 of the 13 players that saw action recorded at least 4 rebounds -- and that was the only way it was going to get done, and it did. This only goes to show that if each member of the team committed himself to grabbing some rebounds, the Celtics can solve their woes internally.
* Each member of the starting lineup had at least 12 points. Great job by the C's of coming out with a balanced attack.
* The turning point in this one was one Brandon Bass stepped up his game. That's right, Brandon Bass. Bass scored 10 of his 12 points in the third quarter. Bass was 6-of-6 in the second half. He had a big block that led to a near three-point play for Chris Wilcox. He also got an offensive rebound and found Jason Terry for a three to put the C's up 67-61.
*As I mentioned at the half, the 35 and older club looked fresh. Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Terry had 17 points and Paul Pierce also had 18.
* Rajon Rondo said after the game that it took him "two seconds" to get back into a rhythm. He was probably right. He finished with 17 points and 11 assists. As Celtics' radio play-by-play announcer Sean Grande pointed out after the game, this was the 38th straight game without a fight with a former Kardashian that Rondo had double-digits in assists.
The bad:
* The defense in the first quarter was not up to par. The Celtics allowed 30 points to the T-Wolves on a lot of open looks. The team's first quarter defense needs to improve in order to have a complete 48 minute effort.
* Turnovers were an issue tonight, and especially turnovers in transition. The last two possessions of the first half resulted in turnovers, not a good way to go into the half.
* This game took on the same pattern as almost each game this season. The C's look energized and lethal early on. Once Garnett goes to the bench, things start to go south. Near the half, the Celtics really slip. In the third, they turn in around. Finally, in the fourth, they either put it away or let a lead slip. Tonight, they put it away. Boston has consistently been an inconsistent team so far. The past three games shown promise. They're definitely headed in the right direction.
Miscellaneous:
* Coming into tonight's game, Rajon Rondo was leading all NBA guards in field goal percentage at 50.6%. Second is former Celtic Ray Allen at exactly 50%. Eighth on that list? Jason Terry at 48.3%.
* We all know Kevin Garnett is an impact player, but to what extent? Well, let's take a look at the regular season winning percentages of the Celtics and Wolves before and after the trade. When KG was in Minnesota from 1995-2007, the Timberwolves were 501-451. The Celtics during this time period were 405-547. When Garnett was traded to Boston, things changed dramatically. Since the trade, Boston is 283-129 while Minnesota is 112-299. For KG, this translates to a .740 winning percentage in his regular season career. That's pretty darn good.
* I would love to have seen the two Kevin's (Garnett and Love) match up during Garnett's prime. That would've been outstanding. In my opinion, Kevin Love is one of the best 10 players in the league. He does it all, just like KG. He is essentially a five-tool player: he can score, handle the ball, rebound, play defense, and shoot free throws (the latter of which he did not do particularly well tonight). Garnett can do all of that as well.
* According to CSNNE.com, Avery Bradley is expected to fully participate in practice in 10 days, and he should be ready to go by the beginning of January.
* According to the Boston Globe, the Celtics are reportedly considering adding veteran center Erick Dampier. There were previous rumors of adding Kenyon Martin, but Dampier is viewed as a better rebounder, something president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has said is more of a priority than a backup point guard.
* The fact that the New Orleans Hornets might change their name to the New Orleans Pelicans is just unfathomable. I would hate to be Austin Rivers or Anthony Davis.
* Congrats to Kobe Bryant on becoming the youngest player to score 30,000 points. I can easily say he is the second-best player I've ever seen. I saw his 43 point performance in Boston on January 31, 2007. Until LeBron James went off in Game Six of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, it was the greatest performance I have ever seen in person.
* Great to see Greg Stiemsma return to the Garden. It was too bad the Celtics couldn't re-sign him.
* Kris Joseph, who was called up yesterday, saw a minute of playing time.
* Leandro Barbosa, who Doc Rivers said he tried to avoid using, saw 4 seconds of playing time. Rivers said he was very sick at shootaround, and the team just needed someone to dress.
* When asked after the game if playing against his former team gave him added motivation, Kevin Garnett responded, "Absolutely not." Doubt that very much.
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