Boston Celtics In Must-Win Mode Ahead Of NBA Playoffs

Sparked by a resurgence of the old Kevin Garnett, not to mention all-around quality basketball, the Boston Celtics have been cruising out of the All-Star break and are in must-win mode as the regular season winds down and the NBA playoffs approach.

Celtics Vs. TImberwolves Final Score: Boston Defeats Minnesota, 100-79

The Boston Celtics defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road in the Target Center on Friday night by a score of 100-79. This was the fourth win in a row for the Celtics and they now have a 29-22 record, which puts them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and in first place in the Atlantic Division. The Timberwolves have now lost two of their last three games, giving them a record of 25-28, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference and in fourth place in the North West Division.

The Celtics were led by none other than Kevin Garnett, who played his first 12 seasons in Minnesota before moving to Boston. He scored 24 points against his former team while Paul Pierce added 21. Avery Bradley chipped in 17 while Brandon Bass added 12. The Timberwolves were led by Kevin Love, who scored 22 points while Luke Ridnour added 15 and Derrick williams chipped in 14.

The Celtics will look to extend their winning streak to five game Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. (ET) against the Miami Heat while the Timberwolves will travel to Portland to play the Trailblazers for a Sunday night game.

For more on the Celtics, head to Celtics Blog.

Celtics Vs. Timberwolves Halftime Score: Boston On Top, 56-45

Avery Bradley scored 14 points and Kevin Garnett added 12 points in the opening half as the Boston Celtics took a 56-45 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves into the break on Friday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.

The Celtics brushed aside the Wolves in the opening quarter, leading 31-20 through twelve minutes, and Minnesota couldn't plug up the holes in the second period, keeping pace with Boston on the scoreboard, 25-25, to put them down 11 points at the intermission. Bradley scored eight straight for Boston at one point during the half.

Paul Pierce scored 10 and both Keyon Dooling and Greg Stiemsma added six points for Boston, which is shooting 51.1 percent and has a 21-20 advantage on the boards.

Kevin Love has 13 points and seven rebounds while Derrick Williams has 10 points.

For more Celtics and Timberwolves coverage, visit blogs CelticsBlog and Canis Hoopus.

Ray Allen Status: Celtics Guard Out Vs. Timberwolves On Friday Night

The Boston Celtics will once again be without the services of shooting guard Ray Allen on Friday night when the C's take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (via Boston Herald).

Allen did participate in the shootaround this morning in Minnesota. However, his sore right ankle will cost him his fifth straight game. The Celtics are 3-1 during his absence (including the current three-game win streak) and have used Avery Bradley in place of Allen in the starting lineup. Boston coach Doc Rivers had hoped earlier in the week that Allen could be back in the lineup for tonight's game.

Bradley has averaged 11.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game in the past four games.

Allen started in 41 games this season for Boston. He's averaged 14.6 points (third on the team), 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game and 1.02 steals per game (third on the team) in 34.2 minutes per game.

For more Celtics and Timberwolves coverage, visit blogs CelticsBlog and Canis Hoopus.

Ray Allen Injury Update: Allen Game-Time Decision After Participating In Shootaround

Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen participated in Friday morning's shootaround and could start Friday night when the Celtics visit the Minnesota Timberwolves if his sore ankle responds well to the activity, according to CSNNE sideline reporter Greg Dickerson.

Allen also participated in the shootaround prior to Wednesday's tilt with the Utah Jazz, but his ankle did not hold up like he thought it should, and the sharp-shooter decided to sit out his fourth straight game.

During Allen's absence, the Celtics are 3-1, including their current three-game winning streak. Avery Bradley has performed admirably as a fill-in in the starting lineup, notching 43 minutes of game time against the Jazz and showing that he can be relied on in a larger role.

Still, Allen's sharp-shooting has been missed. The Celtics managed to hit just four out of 15 3-point attempts against the Jazz on Wednesday night.

For more Celtics and Timberwolves coverage, visit blogs CelticsBlog and Canis Hoopus.

Celtics Vs. Timberwolves: What's motivating Kevin Garnett?

Kevin Garnett returns to Minnesota, which could be a little extra motivation since he admittedly holds no love for the franchise that drafted him. But Garnett, who probably wears a scowl, spews strings of obscenities and smashes his head against the basket stanchion during pickup games in June, doesn't need much in the way of extra motivation.

"I'm motivated. I hear y'all calling me old. I hear y'all calling me ... older, weathered," Garnett said. "I'm motivated, it don't take much to motivate me, man. I'm older in basketball years, but in life, I'm 30-something. I think some of y'all [reporters] -- I'm looking at your gray hair, no hair, hat hair, beautiful hair, wet hair, ummm, no comment. I'm just motivated. I like to use that word.

"The first half of the season wasn't the most pleasurable for us. I felt I could be better. And I've been working towards that. I've been giving myself a true analysis in the mirror, looking at myself and telling myself what can I do better. And I've been going towards that. I know some things I can get better at, and I've been trying to do that. It doesn't take much to motivate me, man. I don't watch too many of you guys' interviews. It's garbage. But the ones I do catch, it's just an opinion. It's what it is. It puts a spark under me and I like that. Playing against younger talent that's supposed to be prolific and supposed to be above average -- but I'm old, though, you know? Again, for the third time, it doesn't take much to motivate me. That's what it is. That's what you see."

Click here for more on Garnett's motivation or watch the video below:

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Celtics Schedule 2012: C's Travel To Minnesota Before Hosting Heat

The Boston Celtics are making a late season push to overtake the Philadelphia 76ers for first place in the Atlantic Division after trailing all season long. They have won three consecutive games and are 13-5 since the All-Star break. At 28-22, they own the same record as the Sixers, with the Sixers holding the tiebreaker. Only 16 games remain in the regular season.

On Friday, the Celtics will travel to Minnesota to face Kevin Love and the T'Wolves. The Wolves are 25-27 on the season and 13-12 at home. They've won four of their last 10. This is the one and only time these teams will meet this season.

Following their trip to Minnesota the Celtics will return home to host LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in a nationally televised game on ABC.

The Sixers face the lowly Wizards Friday before hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

For more Celtics coverage, visit CelticsBlog.

Celtics Vs. Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett Returns To Minnesota

Kevin Garnett returns to the city where he spent the first 12 seasons of his career as the Boston Celtics battle the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m. EDT on Friday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis (TV/Radio: CSNNE/WEEI).