Preview: The Wolves will be playing the back end of a back-to-back while the Celtics have had three days off since a three-point loss in Milwaukee Saturday. Still, the Celtics have won three of their past five games.
Players to watch: Boston G Rajon Rondo returns to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for his role in a fight during a game Nov. 28 against the Nets. G/F Paul Pierce leads Boston in scoring (19.2). F/C Kevin Garnett is shooting 52.2 percent, scoring 15.6 points per game and averaging 7.4 rebounds. Wolves F Kevin Love entered Tuesday's game averaging 20.3 points and 16 rebounds in road games. G Alexey Shved entered the game fifth in rookie scoring (10.4) and second in rookie assists (3.7) per game, but was red-hot in Tuesday's victory over the Sixers, scoring 17 points off the bench, including four of seven on three-pointers.
Numbers: Boston has beaten the Wolves 10 consecutive times, including the past six in Boston. The last time the Wolves beat the Celtics was Feb. 11, 2007. The last time they won in Boston was March 6, 2005. The Wolves are 4-1 when shooting 45 percent or better, 0-4 when scoring less than 90 points.
Injuries: For the Wolves, F Chase Budinger (knee surgery), F Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms), G Brandon Roy (knee surgery) and G Ricky Rubio (knee surgery) are out. For Boston, G Avery Bradley (shoulder surgeries) is out.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
