GAME INFO

Time: 7:00 CT (6:00 ET)

TV: FS North (Minnesota) CSN NE (Boston)

Radio: 830 AM WCCO (Minnesota) 850 AM WEEI (Boston)

TEAM MATCHUP

Points Per Game

Boston: 101.9     Minnesota: 97.3           Advantage: Boston

Points Allowed Per Game

Boston: 103.6     Minnesota: 107.2         Advantage: Boston

LAST MATCHUP

These two teams have only met once this season back on December 19th. In that game, Boston was led by Kelly Olynyk who scored 21 point while coming off of the bench. All of Boston's starters scored in double-digits in that game, a 114-98 Boston victory. Minnesota was led by Shabazz Muhammad who scored 26 points and Chase Budinger who scored 19 points. 

Boston arguably won the game on the strength of their shooting percentages, shooting 56 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers dwarfed the Timberwolves' numbers, which were 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line.

THIS WEEK'S RECAP

Boston comes into the game coming off of a strong showing against Utah on Monday, as they defeated the Jazz, 99-90. In that game, Tayshaun Prince led the Celtics with 19 points and five assists. Minnesota is coming off of a disappointing 92-84 loss to Oklahoma City Monday in a game where the Timberwolves were not really in it at all, never taking a lead in the game. 

MATCHUP TO WATCH

One key matchup to watch is the battle between Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins and Boston's Avery Bradley. This is intriguing because they both are averaging around 30 minutes per night, as well as they both consistently producing solid stats every night. Bradley is averaging 13 points per game, third on the team, and he is one of only three people on the team averaging 30 minutes or more per game. Wiggins has basically carried the Timberwolves this season, as he has averaged the most minutes per game on the team while Ricky Rubio has been nursing a leg injury since November.

PREDICTION

My prediction is for Minnesota to play Boston tight early, maybe even lead after the first quarter, but Andrew Wiggins will not be able to do it all on his own, as Boston will pull away for a 108-89 victory.