National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Boston 104, Minnesota 94
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Officials: #61 Courtney Kirkland, #73 Tre Maddox, #38 Michael Smith
Attendance: 18624

Celtics 104, Timberwolves 94: Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead all five starters in double figures as host Boston continued its domination of Minnesota.

Paul Pierce also scored 18 points and Rajon Rondo returned from a two-game suspension to record 17 points and 11 assists as the Celtics beat the Timberwolves for the 11th consecutive time.

Kevin Love had his seventh double-double in eight games with 19 points and 13 boards to pace Minnesota, which had its two-game winning streak snapped and dropped its seventh straight in Boston.

The Celtics trailed 51-47 at halftime and led by only two late in the third quarter before Rondo scored six points in the last 3 1/2 minutes to help Boston extend the margin to 79-72.

After J.J. Barea opened the scoring in the fourth, the Celtics answered with an 11-1 surge capped by Jason Terry's 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-75 with 7:48 to play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Celtics entered the game as the league's worst rebounding team but had a 45-41 edge on the glass thanks to a combined 12 boards off the bench by Jared Sullinger and Chris Wilcox. ... The Timberwolves, who have not won in Boston since March 6, 2005, hurt themselves at the free-throw line by converting only 14 of 30. ... Boston F Brandon Bass was scoreless at intermission but finished with 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the second half as the Celtics shot 52.6 percent for the game.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Boston
Kevin Love 19 Scoring Kevin Garnett 18
Luke Ridnour 5 Assists Rajon Rondo 11
Kevin Love 13 Rebounds Kevin Garnett 10
Kevin Love 6 Free Throws Made Paul Pierce 5
Josh Howard 3 Steals Brandon Bass 2
Greg Stiemsma 2 Blocks Brandon Bass 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Minnesota 94 44.0 6-19 14-30 19 41 3 11 13
Boston 104 52.6 4-17 18-26 24 45 6 6 16
Upcoming Games
  • Boston will play their next game on the road against Philadelphia. The Celtics have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .667 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against Cleveland. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .500 after a loss.