Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics live stream

Jan 2, 2025 - 13:05
Jan 2, 2025 - 13:14
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Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics
Timberwolves vs Celtics - score808 NBA live stream

Date: January 2, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

It's time for some fever in the NBA, and the Boston Celtics will look ahead to building on their amazing run by visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves in what should be an absorbing game in Minneapolis on January 2nd, 2025, inside the Target Center. While being some of the top form teams this season, the Timberwolves have been very inconsistent and show only moments of flair. Both the teams enter this game with a fair amount of problems plaguing them but with a playoff spot at stake, the encounter is likely to be one that everyone would want to see

Boston Celtics : In a Bid to Save Its Title
Boston Celtics has again emerged as one of the strong forces after being the defending champion of the NBA. The Pistons are one of the more feared teams in the Eastern Conference, with just the right mix of veteran leadership combined with star talent. Fresh off a dominating win on New Year's Eve against the Toronto Raptors, Detroit closed out the calendar year 2024 in quite impressive fashion: with a jaw-dropping win by 54 points. That is now; things will be really hard for the Celtics now, starting with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Celtics have been one of the power houses so far this season. They entered the takedown with a couple of active player injuries that may shape their approach. He's one of the major cogs in its machinery and has been listed as questionable for this game with a right shoulder strain. Jaylen Brown has been one of the major culprits behind this great season of the Celtics, as he has been averaging 24.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. At any rate, sans Brown, the load will be placed on Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday as all three of these players will need to pick up a much bigger slack. Aside from Brown, Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain. Porzingis has been a mainstay in the Boston frontcourt since his move from Dallas this season, managing to average 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds for the team so far. Indeed, his absence has created some void within the team both in their defense and rebounding aspects. As a matter of fact, he has already missed three consecutive games and remains questionable tonight.

But despite those injuries, the Celtics still sport one of the deepest lineups in the league.

Jayson Tatum continues to raise the ante for his MVP-caliber level of play in leading the Celtics in scoring, playmaking, and efficiency. He erupted in a blowout win over the Raptors for 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists and was once again ready to carry. His return also coincided with a boost to team defense and playmaking, too, but he also missed a few games himself because of a shoulder injury. On Tuesday against the Raptors, he scored 14 in his return to the lineup and he did so efficiently, particularly beyond the arc, where he knocked down 4 of 5 three-point attempts. The big point of emphasis for the Celtics coming into the year, under coach Joe Mazzulla, had to do with coming out with energy on the defensive side. This Celtics defense is a bit more stifling on that side of the court with Holiday's return. He will be looking to make his impact across the conference in leading them in creating turnovers while facilitating transition offense.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Erratic Dream Team

While the Celtics have, for the most part been a model of consistency, the Minnesota Timberwolves have had spotty performances in their case.
Much inconsistency on the part of the Timberwolves despite brief moments of brilliance-as further reflected in the recent defeats-the latest against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 31 in a game in which they lost 113-105. With that kind of careless handling of the ball, they lost much, forcing 23 turnovers in the game. Chris Finch, head coach for the Timberwolves, has made it known that from this point on, the emphasis of the team needs to fall to ball control. Whatever chance the Timberwolves have against the Celtics, it has to be limiting to their turnovers and executed better on offense. It's an inconsistent Timberwolves team that has a few players who can go off big at times.

Anthony Edwards has been the best player on this roster all season for the Timberwolves, leading the way with 24.8 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Edwards can take over games at times, and he'll be the most important player in this one for the Wolves. If he gets hot early and can get to the rim, then he'll be a serious problem against the Celtic defense. A major contributor for the Timberwolves this season has been Julius Randle. He's been the biggest proponent of the score-and-rebound game this year with 19.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He'll also be that secondary option to Edwards as a scorer who makes the Timberwolves much more difficult to deal with offensively if he gets going. His physicality in the post will be in high demand up against this proud, defensive-minded Celtic team.

They also have a couple of injuries and some of their role players. They've ruled Rob Dillingham out with a right ankle sprain, and Luka Garza, too, is out with a left ankle sprain. Guys like that are not in starting lineups, but this is some of that depth that the Timberwolves possess, particularly from the bench.

With all of those injury issues at their home floor, the T-Wolves are going to need all stops in pull of a big statement win against the old defending champs. If they limit turnovers along with getting whatever small mistakes that could come their way against the Celts, this group indeed can pull an upset with Edwards and Randle spearheading them out in the backcourt.

Head-to-Head: Celtics vs. Timberwolves

This will be the second and final meeting between the Celtics and Timberwolves during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
The first matchup took place back on November 24, 2024 at TD Garden as the Celtics were able to win a close 107-105 battle. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points in the win, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards, in defeat, had 28 points, pulled down 9 rebounds and added 7 assists for the Timberwolves while Julius Randle contributed 23. The Timberwolves remember that defeat by the razor-thin margin and look to be gunning to exact revenge on their home court. Still, even with Jayson Tatum and Brown at the forefront, the Celtics are just not an easy out. But if both come in healthy, the Celtics will go into the matchup as favorites but the Timberwolves have also shown they can compete with the best of them at the top of their powers.

Prediction: Celtics 113, Timberwolves 108 

Even accounting for the injury question marks to both Brown and Porzingis, Boston is hands down the superior overall team in the matchup.

Behind what is now an MVP-type season from Jayson Tatum, Boston has one of the more dynamic offenses in the league. Without Brown, the ability of Tatum to score from anywhere on the court, complemented by Jrue Holiday on the other end, will be a lot for Minnesota. The Timberwolves will make it interesting for stretches with both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle putting together hot games, but the inability to care for the basketball and inconsistent effort on that other end of the court seals things. Boston makes those critical errors hurt and eke out a tough win on the road.

How to Watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics

Live Stream:
fuboTV (Watch for free)
NBA League Pass (Free trial)
National TV: TNT, truTV, Max
Home Radio: Wolves App / iHeart Radio

Radio: WROR 105.7 FM

The Boston Celtics will go head to head against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2025; this is going to be a great fight since both teams have plans to make something happen this season.