Next Up - Celtics @ Timberwolves Sat. 12/1/2018 8 PM

The Celtics have spent more time on the road than a traveling salesman.  The schedule is like a dog collar jerking  them all over the place.

On the 2nd night of this B2B we get a chance to see the Butlerless T'wolves.    The Wolves are 7-2 since Butler played his last game with them.  It seems that both the Sixers and the T'Wolves got what they needed from the trade.  They have a 4 game winning steak and are 9-3 at home

The t'Wolves starting 5 includes Towns, Covington, Gibson, Wiggins and Teague.  the trade helped them with depth as they now have Saric coming off the bench.

However the big surprise this year has been Derrick Rose.  He is averaging 19 PPG and 4 assists and absolutely killing it from deep at  .563.

This will not be an easy game.  During their 4 game winning streak they have held teams to 95.5 PPG.

The Celtics need to play them just like they did NOLA.  Towns is a great player almost as good as AD and he can score and rebound.    But he can stretch the floor while AD cannot.   You have to check him on the perimeter.  

Gibson is still an undersized but very physical PF.  Keep him off the glass.

Teague is a shifty little PG but his game is starting to decline somewhat.  He is not a bigtime 3 point shooter but will drive and kick pretty effectively.

Covington came over from  Philly and it seems his defense is already being felt.  He can hit the 3 ball.  He is a perfect fit for what the teams needs.

And on to Wiggins.  This kid is not hungry.  He is not getting better.  He has all the athletic gifts you could want but he does not know how to play.  He got that huge extension but is not earning his money.

The Celtics have been playing pretty good lately but they have not played good teams lately.  The usual components will be needed.  Solid defense, rebounding, shot selection, pace, etc.

Brown may play tonight and come off the bench

https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20181130/celtics-notebook-jaylen-brown-looking-to-return-from-back-injury

This will be a real test for us tonight. T-Wolves are growling tough.

About Wiggins, he reminds me of the Lakers' Ingram in that both of them are too thin and frail, not muscled up enough after a few years in the NBA, and they obviously have not been doing the necessary work in the weight room needed to get to their expected NBA level of talent. Jayson has. You can see his 19 year old body already filling out. Summertime is when athletes can really build up or trim down as needs be. Tatum and Morris have for us. Ingram and Wiggins haven't and aren't showing me much desire to get to the next level.