Timberwolves fail in another close game
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Boston showed Minnesota what it takes to win a close game.
Paul Pierce made two clutch free throws after Wally Szczerbiak missed two at the other end, and the Celtics hung on Monday night for a 93-90 over the Timberwolves.
Minnesota used a 19-8 rally in the fourth quarter to close within 91-90, but Szczerbiak, who had been 5-for-5 from the line, missed both free throws.
"I certainly will see them in my sleep," he said.
Rasho Nesterovic grabbed the rebound on the second miss and got the ball into the hands of Kevin Garnett, who missed the shot after faking Tony Battie into the air.
"Like we've been doing all season, we came up with the necessary stops to win the game," Antoine Walker said.
Pierce scored 31 points to lead Boston, which still has a chance to secure home-court advantage through the second round. All the Celtics need to do is win their final game at Atlanta, and have Detroit lose its remaining games against New Jersey and Milwaukee.
"We can't worry about what (the Pistons) are doing," Pierce said. "We took care of business and we'll let the chips fall where they may."
Garnett led the Timberwolves with 20 points on 8-for-23 shooting.
Minnesota could face San Antonio, Dallas or the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round in the Western Conference.
Regardless of their opponent, the Wolves know it's going to take a more complete effort to advance in the playoffs.
"We have one more game, and then it's all or nothing," Chauncey Billups said. "We've got until this weekend to clean up all the little things that we didn't do in tonight's game. I thought we came out a little passive at the start of the game. We can't win games like that."
Minnesota didn't do a lot of the big things, either. It shot 37 percent from the field to Boston's 51 percent. The Timberwolves also gave up 46 points in the paint.
"We didn't come out with the edge we needed to," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "Maybe that's because of where we're at, but I told our guys that's no excuse."
Notes: Minnesota G Terrell Brandon sat on the bench with the team for the first time since arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February. Brandon is out for the season. ... Walker and Garnett are two of four players averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists. ... Boston G Tony Delk returned after missing five games with a groin injury. Delk surpassed 800 career rebounds with three against the Wolves. ... The Wolves lost for the first time at home to an Atlantic Division team (6-1).
BOSTON (93)
Walker 5-13 2-4 13, E.Williams 1-4 0-0 3, Battie 7-11 0-0 14, Pierce 10-18 9-12 31, Anderson 5-7 0-0 10, Rogers 5-9 1-2 12, Strickland 0-4 0-0 0, Potapenko 3-6 2-2 8, McCarty 0-0 0-0 0, Delk 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 37-73 14-20 93.
MINNESOTA (90)
Garnett 8-23 4-7 20, Smith 1-3 2-2 4, Nesterovic 6-9 0-0 12, Szczerbiak 6-16 5-7 19, Billups 1-8 3-4 6, Pack 3-5 0-0 7, Jackson 2-6 0-0 4, Trent 2-4 3-4 7, Peeler 3-12 2-4 9, Mitchell 1-3 0-0 2, Woods 0-0 0-0 0, Lopez 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-89 19-28 90.
Boston 26 14 32 21 -- 93
Minnesota 19 22 24 25 -- 90
3-Point Goals--Boston 5-17 (Pierce 2-5, E.Williams 1-1, Rogers 1-3, Walker 1-5, Anderson 0-1, Strickland 0-2), Minnesota 5-18 (Szczerbiak 2-5, Pack 1-1, Billups 1-3, Peeler 1-7, Garnett 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Boston 47 (Walker 8), Minnesota 60 (Garnett 11). Assists--Boston 23 (Anderson 9), Minnesota 21 (Szczerbiak 6). Total fouls--Boston 26, Minnesota 18. Technicals--Walker, Minnesota Defensive Three Second. Flagrant fouls--Walker, Rogers. A--17,009 (19,006).