The Boston Celtics lost their first game of the season on Monday night, in a 114-109 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards caught fire in overtime, as he accounted for eight of the fourteen points they scored in the period, finishing the game with 38 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the Timberwolves’ win. Some of the Celtics’ issues from last season seemed to have crept back in, with a lack of clutch time execution, in a game that was there for the taking.
Boston was unable to get going, with the Timberwolves jumping out to a quick first quarter lead. Jaylen Brown, however, did have an improved shooting game, starting with a 9-point first quarter and eventually finishing the game with 26 points on 10/21 shooting from the field. The Wolves fought hard to end the quarter on a high, as Naz Reid stole the ball from Sam Hauser, which led to a transition 3-pointer for Reid, as Minnesota closed out the first quarter leading 29-26.
Jayson Tatum started the second quarter brightly, driving the Celtics in front, scoring 6 consecutive points to begin the quarter taking control of the game. Tatum once again dominated in the game, putting up 32 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals. Kristaps Porzingis also played well, putting up 20 points and 5 rebounds. The rest of the Celtics’ line-up struggled, especially Jrue Holiday, who had just 14 points on 4-16 shooting numbers, as well as a -19 plus-minus. However, Holiday did make an impact on the game with 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
The third quarter was the Celtics’ worst of the season, as unfortunately they were unable to find any offensive rhythm and only scored 19 points in the quarter (the Celtics lowest scoring quarter of the season). Not unusual for this season the bench failed to make an impact on the game, aside from Sam Hauser, being outscored once again by the opposition bench, this time 27-16. Boston failed to capitalize on the Minnesota mistakes, especially not attacking Edwards who had five fouls for the majority of the second half. Despite their dismal third quarter, the Celtics only trailed by four points entering the final quarter.
It did not take long for the Celtics to fight back and tie up the game with 7:47 to go in the fourth quarter. It remained an even battle for the entirety of the quarter, with both teams jousting for the winning position. At two minutes to go, when Jaylen Brown hit an excellent three pointer to put Boston up by 3, unfortunately for the Celtics, Jaden Mcdaniels answered straight back tying the game. Neither team was able to break the 101-101 stalemate throughout, with Boston’s best opportunity being Jaylen Brown getting open for three, before leaving it short, sending the game to overtime.
The Celtics, despite going up by two early, where unable to get the job done. This was mainly because Edwards took control putting up eight points in the overtime period to win the game. Boston was unable to execute plays in the final stages, bringing into question coach Mazzulla’s play calling down the stretch. The Celtics’ loss will halt their unbeaten run, moving them to 5-1 for the season.
Joe Mazzulla commented on the Celtics loss via ESPN: “The game was very competitive, and they (the Timberwolves) are always going to bring the best out of us”. He also added: “I thought we competed at a high level. I thought their defensive toughness outmatched our offensive toughness at times”. Boston will head to Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, looking to move above the Sixers with a win.
By Will C
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