Celtics (20-5) vs Wolves (5-22)
Game time: 6pm, TD Garden. TV - CSN. Radio - WEEI-AM (850).
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce - 17.6 Wolves: Al Jefferson - 16.8
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins - 7.8 Wolves: Kevin Love - 12.4
Assists
Bos: Rondo - 9.5 Wolves: Jonny Flynn - 4.3
Who'll go off: Rajon Rondo. The Wolves give up 104 ppg. Rondo should be able to pick apart their defense with an array of lobs, bounce passes and drives to the hoop.
Who needs to be stopped: Oleksiy Pecherov. Don't laugh. Pecherov torched the Celtics for a career-high 24 points the first time these teams met this season.
The C's will lose if... They continue with that "losing swagger." The Celtics also need to capitalize on the Wolves low shooting percentage (43% - 24th in league) and that means rebounding. The Wolves are in the top 10 in total rebounds and offensive rebounds.
Wildcard: The Celtics beat Minny 92-90 on November 4. The Wolves played the Cs tough, despite the absence of Kevin Love. He's back, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per game. Ryan Gomes is doubtful (high ankle sprain).
Prediction: Celtics 101 - Wolves 89