Wolves fall to short-handed Celtics

CELTICS 118, TIMBERWOLVES 115 >> NEXT: AT DETROIT, 6 P.M. SATURDAY, FDSN

Minnesota had 16 turnovers, while Boston had season low-tying three giveaways

Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) goes up for a shot against Boston’s Al Horford (42) and Sam Hauser (30) during Thursday’s game at Target Center. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards missed a 3-pointer as time expired in a 118-15 loss. DAVID BERDING — GETTY IMAGES

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By Jace Frederick

jfrederick@pioneerpress.com

Minnesota didn’t get the champs at their best Thursday at Target Center. The Celtics were sans two of their top four players, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown unavailable. But even at 70%, the Celtics again proved to be tough to beat.

Even on a night where the Wolves shot 54% from 3-point distance, attempted 22 free throws to Boston’s six and outrebounded Boston by 10, the Celtics held on for a 118-115 victory in Minneapolis as Anthony Edwards’ potential game-tying triple hit off the iron as time expired.

Boston simply out-executed the Wolves. Every shot was seemingly a good one, generated with penetration and pristine ball movement.

The Celtics had the best player on the floor.

Boston shot 39% from distance — knocking down 22 triples — and committed just three turnovers, tying the league’s best for fewest in a game this season. The only other time it happened this season was also the Celtics. On the other end, Minnesota gave the ball away 16 times, which led to 22 points for the Celtics.

Execution is king.

It was the difference in Minnesota’s loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, and again against the Celtics (25-9). The league’s best teams simply don’t beat themselves. It’s one thing that clearly separates the elite from Minnesota (17-16) at the moment.

“I mean even with OKC, tough losses. I think if we rebound and don’t turn the ball over, we win the game, both games,” Wolves big man Naz Reid said. “It’s progress. If we take care of business on that side, we might be in a different situation right now. That’s progress from where we were before though, so I’ll take it.”

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 40 points on Minnesota in Oklahoma City, Tatum finished with 33 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as he maintained total control of the contest throughout. He was Batman, and Robin was Derrick White, who had 26 points, including five triples.

Edwards finished with 15 points on 5 of 16 shooting, and the Wolves were outscored by 10 points in his 36 minutes. Julius Randle starred for Minnesota, tallying 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

“He was the recipient of a lot of Ant’s passing, and then he did a good job of making the next play, and then he got some good, open looks,” Finch said of Randle. “He shot the ball extremely well from the 3-point line tonight, so that always helps.”

But Minnesota’s ceiling is certainly capped if its best player continues to deliver this sub-optimal production.

Edwards bemoaned the extra defensive attention he received against Boston, and many other opponents throughout the season. But when Edwards did simply get off the ball in the third quarter, he had five assists and Minnesota scored 34 points. The Wolves scored 64 points in the second half on what was one of their better offensive showings of the season.

But Minnesota largely continues to be plagued by a single quarter.

Against the Thunder, it was the third quarter. Against Boston, it was the second, a frame in which the Celtics out-scored Minnesota 34-16.

“We’ve had that patch in our game, and there it is again,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I thought our defense kind of crumbled. Our ball contain was poor.”