Final: Timberwolves 108, Celtics 103 - Another 4th quarter collapse, possibly the worst of them all

Game 34
Boston Celtics (16-17, 7-11 road, 9th East) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-17, 9-9 home, T-8th West)
Target Center
8:00 PM - NBC Sports Boston

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Boston: Payton Pritchard, Romeo Langford, Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, Al Horford

Minnesota: Malik Beasley, Jake Layman, Jaden McDaniels, Jordan McLaughlin, Nathan Knight

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

- Jayson Tatum is in Health and Safety protocols and is out tonight. He joins seven other Celtics in the protocols: Dennis Schröder, Aaron Nesmith, Josh Richardson, Bruno Fernando, Enes K. Freedom, Justin Jackson, and CJ Miles. 

- Marcus Smart is out with a right hand laceration suffered during the game against Milwaukee.

“It's in a nasty spot. It's a nasty cut,” Ime Udoka said, adding that Smart can’t really grip the ball well right now. “I wouldn't anticipate it being anything long term. Just healing up some, probably find the right padding or bandaging to take away some of the pain.”

- Grant Williams is available to return tonight. 

- Timberwolves in Health and Safety: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Taurean Prince, Naz Reid, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, McKinley Wright.

- Patrick Beverley is out of Health and Safety protocols but is out due to reconditioning. Josh Okogie is available. 

- Boston is favored by 5.5

THREE THINGS TO WATCH FOR

1. Ball movement: With Tatum out, the Celtics are going to have to rely on some added ball movement to get guys open. Jaylen Brown can expect some double teams, so the Celtics will get some quick 4-on-3 looks after he gives it up. Swinging the ball can generate some open looks for others. Move the ball well and make Minnesota pay for doubling, and they’ll stop doubling. 

2. Matching Minnesota’s energy: The Timberwolves are a bit harder-hit by COVID because all their big guns are out. But that just means a bunch of young guys with a ton to prove and less mileage on their legs will be out there trying to run past the Celtics. Boston has to match that early

3. Point guard by committee: With Smart and Schröder out, that leaves Pritchard as the team’s only true point guard left. He’ll get the start but after that it’s going to be ball handling by committee. That will add some more to Brown’s plate and could make for some sloppy offense. Playing off of the Minnesota energy thing, a bunch of hungry players challenging non-ball handlers could make for some sloppy live ball turnovers if Boston isn’t careful.

GAME THREAD

Stick around for more comments below as the game goes on. Feel free to add your two cents in the comments.