Post-game Thread: Celtics-Timberwolves at Minnesota

[Sam]

Well, the Celtics played the Wolves game just like what it was—an anticlimax. Even though they led by four at one point, it seemed from the very outset that they were going to be overmatched in this one. The only real energy they displayed was in the first quarter, and they blew opportunity after opportunity to take a commanding lead, shooting only 10-25 in the period. Even worse was the fact that they lapsed (as they so often do) into three-point shooting, going 1-7 in the quarter. I believe the correct balance for a team involves aggression toward the hoop while shooting threes opportunistically. When the mentality devolves into seeking threes while using twos only as a default, you're going to be in trouble nine times out of ten. Nonetheless, the Celts trailed by only two after the first quarter because, as is becoming the norm, the bench came in for the last four minutes and was +1, while the starters had gone -3 over the first eight minutes.

The bench effort was all the more impressive because Flip Saunders reintroduced Kevin Martin to the lineup for those last four minutes, and he went off for seven points, shooting 4 of 5. The guy's a real gunner, which the Celtics obviously lack. And please don't talk to me about the inconsistent Avery Bradley being any sort of reliable gunner. In the first quarter, he took 28% of the Celtics' shots and went 2-7 and 0-3 from three-point land. Avery can get hot, and he can even win games with late shots. But he's not a guy who is regarded as such a threat that he changes the other team's defense like Martin does. In addition to his own scoring (and this guy was coming back after missing something like 30+ games due to injury), Kevin opens the floor for other guys.

The second quarter was relatively even, and the Celts actually held a one-point lead at halftime. Tayshaun Prince did more damage than any other Celt. In his 8 minutes, he went 3-4, scoring 8 points, with one assist. And he was instrumental in winning several 50/50 battles. This guy is truly the goods, even (or perhaps "especially" would be more apt) at age 34. It might be noted that the immortan Lorenzo Brown, just called up from the D-League to play the "1" position for the Wolves, scored 8 points in his 11 first half minutes.

The third quarter has not been all that kind to the Celtics lately, and last night's game followed suit. This was essentially when they lost the game, being outscored 33-25 and trailing 81-74 entering the fourth quarter. This quarter was basically the Dieng (11 points) and LaVine (13 points) show. The Celtics' long-standing nemesis, the pick-and-roll did them in once more. I hadn't realized Dieng was so offensively accomplished; he has a nice touch. And LaVine showed why he's going to be in the stupid slam dunk contest during the all-star break that begins in a couple of weeks and extends for a century or two. For the Celtics, the Marcus twins, Thornton (7) and Smart (6, consisting of two three-pointers to bring his total for the night to 4-5).

In the fourth quarter, the Celtics posed some threats, led by Sully (5 in the quarter and 16 for the game) and Thornton (6 in the quarter and 15 for the game). But, for every Celtics foray, the Timberwolves had an answer. Particularly in the form of Kevin Martin, who almost casually tossed in 12 points while Andrew Wiggins woke up and scored 6 of his 12 points for the night.

I don't believe the Celtics failed to try. They just never seemed able to break through a ceiling of lethargy in this one. A step too late; far too much outside shooting and the complementary lack of going to the hoop; and horrendous defensive rotations. Scal noted that LaVine, who had scored 17 points in 24 minutes through three quarters, did not even make it to the floor in the fourth. But playing both Mr. Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Brown, and Kevin Martin for the entire quarter was sufficient to the Wolves' needs. Final score: 110-98 Wolves.

My game ball goes to Sully, who scored more points (16) than any other Celtic despite going a rather dismal 6-16. Unsung hero of the night award goes to Evan Turner, who scored 10 points with 4 rebounds and 6 assists in 27 minutes despite twice having to come out of the game because of a very painful left hand. He said after the game that he'll try to play through it until the all-star break and will rest it then. I guess that should be sufficient because the all-star break will last an eternity.

One oddity was that both teams had 7 players in double figures. The main difference was that the Wolves had more guys in the high teems and one (Martin) with 21. The Celts in double figures ranged from 10 to 16 points.

For those who like to follow the Celtics' assist/field goal percentages, the figure last night was a meager 52%. The Celtics shot better as the game progressed, finishing at 46%, while the Wolves shot 49%. I hate it when the Celtics take more than 20 threes, and they took 23 (making 7) last night. The two teams were about equal in terms of fast break points Celts 6, Wolves 7), points in the paint (46 apiece) and turnovers and turnovers (Celts 13, Wolves 12). The wolves had a 39-30 defensive rebound advantage, leaving the Celtics "one and done" on far too many possessions. However, the Celts took 91 shots to the Wolves' 77, with the result that the Celts had more offensive rebounds (9) than the Minnesotans (6).

The Celtics actually made four more field goals than the Timberwolves. But the biggest discrepancy in the stats involved free throws. The Wolves were 28-32, while the Celtics managed only 7-9. This stat, more than any other, shows clearly which team was the aggressor.

Home cooking; rest up with some sidewalk shoveling. Should be a breeze for the Celtics to get up for the next one. I hope.

Sam

[Outside]

It's too bad they ended such a good road trip with a whimper, especially in what would appear to have been a winnable game (the T-Wolves are deep in last place in the West, 7-37 entering the game).

Not that it's much consolation, but Minnesota may not be as bad as their record indicates. Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, and Nicola Pekovic have all been out extended time with injuries. This was Martin's first game back, and he certainly made an impact with a game-high 21 points. Pekovic has been back for a few games, and while he hasn't been that productive, the combo of him and Dieng makes for a formidable post presence. Pekovic's floor-bound bulk and strength is a nice complement to Dieng's more slender, vertical presence. Rookies Wiggins and LaVine are getting settled into the NBA game and doing pretty well, though they likely benefit from enduring growing pains in an NBA backwater.

So we'll see where the Celtics go from here and whether they can put this one game behind them and build on the overall positive play from the road trip. They're home for five of the next seven with some winnable games on the schedule.

It will be interesting to see how many of those wind up in the W column, as well as how they do against tougher opponents, like the Rockets in the next game. No Dwight for Houston, but they have plenty of other big guys to cause trouble inside. The key is to keep Harden from getting into a rhythm or spending all day at the free throw line.

But hey, that was a good road trip.

[beat]

Seems Zeller had no answer to the bulk of Pekovic. Double downs when they came were to little to late plus that left someone wide open which seemed to end up with a hoop.

A game I guess that was due...somewhat playing down to their level and in this case maybe a bit lower.

beat

[wide clyde]

I was very upset with last night's game because if the Celtics are going to keep improving these games against cellar dwelling teams MUST turn into victories.

Teams with playoff aspirations (maybe no this year so much) have to beat teams that are in Minnesota's place because teams you are fighting for playoff spots cannot give away such a game. Most of the opponents for these playoff spots will most certainly have beaten teams such as Minnesota.

Learning (and erforming) to win such games is very much something that is important for team growth. I understand that there is a belief that "trap" games show up a few times a year, but last night should not have been one of them.

Now the first game at home coming off a long road trip is not only one such "trap" game, but now it could be the second of two consecutive losses.

This long road trip, that could have been a potential 'season ender' in many ways, turned out to be better than most expected. However, it ended quite poorly last night, in my opinion.

[beat]

Wide

I would not get to excited one way or the other regarding last nights game

Who among us thought we'd go 3-3 on this trip. We were somewhat flat and played at their level and perhaps a bit lower. Their record albeit is poor but they are in the west and have had a couple key injuries.

We have a nice 30 day schedule coming up and 2 of the team that are just ahead of us Brooklyn and Detroit are both struggling and Detroit is in a major downspin.

Lets be patient and not put too much stock in any one game we win or lose.

beat

[Sam]

I wish the Celtics had won last night, but it's hard to get too upset about it.

Regardless of the Wolves' record, they have three qualities that have been sources of vulnerability for the Celtics this season: two effective big guys, lots of athleticism, and a lights-out gunner.  Going stale in the anticlimax of a good trip certainly was undesirable; and I don't have the greatest sympathy for a team just because it has six games in 12 days.  Clyde, you and go back to times when they played harder and played as many as five nights in a row.  However, the conditions were nearly perfect for the Celts to lose despite the lowly status of the Timberwolves in general.

Instead of regretting the loss, I hope they'll view it as a heads-up as to how they need to improve both this season and going forward.

Sam

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