Boston Celtics hit the road, expect tough battle against Minnesota Timberwolves
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Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday shoots during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MINNESOTA – The Boston Celtics might need to provide extra ice packs for their upcoming road trip, and guard Jrue Holiday is perfectly okay with that.
“Teams are challenging us,” he said. “I think the game is becoming more physical, which is good. I think that’s a benefit for us where we can do the same.”
Boston will open their four-game trip with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan 2 (Jan 3, Singapore time) in Minneapolis.
The Celtics are coming off a 54-point rout of the Toronto Raptors on New Year’s Eve. The victory capped an incredible 2024 calendar year for the defending National Basketball Association (NBA) champions, who once again have title aspirations as they turn their focus to 2025.
A late addition to the injury report could make the Celtics’ task more challenging.
Forward Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable to play because of a right shoulder strain. He is averaging 24.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28 starts this season.
Fellow forward Kristaps Porzingis is also listed as questionable because of a sprained left ankle. Porzingis, who has missed three straight games due to the injury, is averaging 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 11 starts.
Minnesota also have a couple of injured players, but none who typically occupy the starting line-up. Rookie guard Rob Dillingham is listed as out because of a right ankle sprain and reserve big man Luka Garza also has been ruled out because of a left ankle sprain which has sidelined him for the last six games.
Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 24.8 points per game on 44.3 per cent shooting. Julius Randle is second with 19.9 points to go along with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is most concerned with another statistic: turnovers. He said his team were too sloppy with the ball (23 turnovers) in a 113-105 loss to hosts Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec 31.
“If we don’t turn the ball over, we can control this game,” Finch said. “No doubt about it.”
One player who has returned to the line-up for Boston is Holiday, who came back on Dec 31 after a three-game absence because of a shoulder injury. He finished with 14 points and made four of five attempts from beyond the arc.
Holiday joked that the source of his shoulder injury might have repaired his three-point shot.
“Maybe the hit is what helped it,” he said. “Maybe it got my shoulder in line.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla recently challenged his team to be more active on defence.
Holiday said that fits his basketball personality well.
“I think it’s just about being active and using your instincts,” he said.
“That’s something that I always like to do – think the game, especially on the defensive end. Be able to get deflections, start the break and things like that. It’s definitely fun for me, being more active.”
This is the second and final matchup of the regular season between the teams. Boston won the first game 107-105 at home on Nov 24.
Brown led the Celtics with 29 points in that game. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds.
Edwards finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Boston, while Randle scored 23 points. REUTERS
