Two of the four best teams from last season are in Massachusetts and they are the Celtics who tore themselves away to bring down the Wolves of Anthony Edwards (28 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists), Julius Randle (23 points, 6 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (10 points, 20 rebounds). Thanking, for this, Jaylen Brown (29 points), Jayson Tatum (26 points, 8 rebounds) and Derrick White (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists).
After a great start from the Celtics, driven by a Jaylen Brown on fire at 3-points (5/5!), the Wolves began to pick up and move in front by pressing in the paint, thanks to a Rudy Gobert who snatched a number of second chances. The contribution of Payton Pritchard is good for the champions, very clumsy apart from Brown (27-24).
Jayson Tatum then finds success and Boston regains the advantage as the 3-points rain again. Less dominant inside, despite Julius Randle, Minnesota suffers because the address is not at its highest, but a run from Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo limits the damage (55-52).
After the break, the Celtics started to insolently draw from afar again and a 14-0 caused the gap to increase dangerously. The Edwards/Randle tandem, more aggressive, nevertheless did its best to catch up on the line, while Jayson Tatum was there to repel the visitors' attacks (84-73).
Between the kicks of Anthony Edwards and the arrows of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, nothing moves until “money-time”. The tension rises, Minnesota grabs with Jaden McDaniels, before a 3-pointer from Brown which gives some air. But, with forceps, Naz Reid's teammates nevertheless offer themselves a match point at the buzzer… Missed, even if they were not able to shoot in time, while Edwards could perhaps have equalized on his penetration until 'to the circle (107-105).
TO REMEMBER
– And five for Boston. It was complicated for the Celtics, despite having a nice 3-point evening (21 baskets at 38%), but they managed to secure the essentials by pocketing a fifth consecutive victory, despite difficulties in the racket. The Tatum – Brown – White trio showed the path to success for the reigning champions, who led almost the entire match and who especially did not falter when the Wolves threatened in the “money-time”.
– Minnesota still fanny in Massachusetts. If they have not won in Toronto since 2004, it is not much better for the Wolves in Boston, where they have not won since March 2005. This evening, they may particularly regret this final possession which was not really well negotiated , a week after Julius Randle's game-winning buzzer-beater. With Anthony Edwards at the helm, and who had made his way into the paint, it was a 3-point attempt from Naz Reid that was supposed to win Minny at the buzzer. Problem: the reigning Sixth Man of the Year couldn't even trigger in time…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
