Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out as Crucial Adjustment Ignites Jayson Tatum, Propels Celtics Past Timberwolves to Remain Unbeaten at Home

A tactical switch ignited Jayson Tatum, who generated 26 points across the fourth quarter and overtime of the Celtics' comeback win over the Timberwolves.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics improved to 18-0 at TD Garden this season, earning a 127-120 overtime victory vs. the top seed in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The win establishes a new franchise record for their best start to a campaign on their home floor.

A crucial element to that was the hosts figuring out how to counter the high pick-up points the visitors were using defensively to limit drives and keep Boston's offense out of rhythm.

But in the fourth quarter -- better late than never -- the Celtics had Al Horford set his screens even higher, an adjustment that ignited Jayson Tatum.

The soon-to-be five-time All-Star responded with 14 points in the fourth frame and 12 more in overtime. He finished with 45, leading all scorers.

The hosts also got 35 points from Jaylen Brown, who paired that production with impactful on-ball defense and 11 rebounds.

As for the Timberwolves, burgeoning star Anthony Edwards registered a team-best 29 points, demonstrating a lethal mid-range shot off the glass and the ability to hit clutch threes under pressure while having to block out a raucous TD Garden crowd.

Minnesota also got 25 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two steals from Karl-Anthony Towns, who started overtime with six points, looking like he might salvage this game for the visitors.

Instead, this deep dive is into how the Timberwolves outplayed the Celtics for much of the night but ended up on the losing side of the scoreboard.

1. For as much anticipation as there was for this heavyweight matchup between the top seed in the East and the number one team in the West, granted, the Timberwolves had lost three of their last five tilts entering this one, factors leading into it hindered the game's ability to reach its full potential.

The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis, inactive due to a right knee contusion, something head coach Joe Mazzulla said he's "not concerned at all" about before the contest.

Minnesota was also down a center, with Rudy Gobert out due to left hip soreness.

Furthermore, the visitors, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, having just beaten the Orlando Magic 113-92, didn't arrive in Boston until Wednesday afternoon due to inclement weather.

2. The slow pace of play and constant whistles also took away from the entertainment value of the matchup.

There were 20 fouls and 22 free throws in the first half alone, with the hosts faring 10/10 at the stripe and Minnesota making all 12 of its attempts.

3. The Celtics had considerable trouble with the Timberwolves' size in the first 24 minutes, giving up 26 points in the paint and six offensive rebounds that led to six second-chance points in the first half.

But Boston did a much better job of limiting their guests to one shot per possession in the final two frames. Minnesota finished with eight offensive rebounds and seven second-chance points.

They did, however, generate 50 points in the paint, with most of that damage coming on downhill drives from Anthony Edwards. The rising star registered a team-high 29 points.

4. Between the slow pace and the visitors still being able to utilize a productive double-big lineup with Naz Reid playing alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, Boston didn't demonstrate much interest in attacking downhill for most of this matchup.

Instead, the hosts took 33 of their 60 shots from beyond the arc. They made 12, which is over 36 percent, but were typically hoisting low-quality looks that didn't come from playing with pace, inside-out basketball, or effective ball movement.

But impactful screens that created separation for pick-and-roll ball handlers and forced switches were a common theme when they did drive to the basket.

5. When the screen assist stats from Wednesday's contest come out, expect Luke Kornet to lead the C's in that category.

The seven-foot-two center is playing some of his best ball of his career since returning from a right adductor injury. That includes starring in his role against the Timberwolves, freeing teammates up for points that often came at the rim.

Kornet also scored eight of his own, grabbed two offensive rebounds, and had a rejection. Given the distinct possibility there isn't an upgrade added at center between now and the playoffs, his performance in a matchup like this is encouraging.

6. Boston, struggling to get stops, appeared headed toward its first loss on its home floor this season. But this game turned on a dime, with the hosts playing as aggressively as they had all night offensively, manufacturing ten points in the paint and drilling 6/11 (54.5 percent) of their threes in the fourth quarter.

A change that helped fuel the former was raising where they had Al Horford screen for Jayson Tatum in response to Minnesota's high pick-up points.

And they earned five free throws. Only committing one turnover was crucial, too.

As was Derrick White channeling his inner Marcus Smart, drawing a charge to keep the Celtics' hopes alive. That led to an impressive layup by Tatum, pulling his team within five, 109-104, with 2:01 remaining.

White then earned another Tommy Point when, after Boston missed its first free throw of the game following starting 21/21 at the stripe, he swooped in to grab the errant attempt, leading to effective ball movement as the hosts swung it around the perimeter, leading to Jrue Holiday burying a corner three. That put them ahead 111-109 with 25.3 seconds left.

But credit to Edwards for responding with a forceful downhill drive that got him to the foul line, the first time the visitors went there in the last 12 minutes, where he forced overtime.

7. The fifth frame started the way of the Timberwolves, with Karl-Anthony Towns producing an old-school three-point play and drilling a shot from beyond the arc.

But the Celtics stayed aggressive, earning and capitalizing on nine free throws. The visitors only attempted one.

And after Tatum beat Towns off the dribble for a layup to take a 122-120 lead, the stock exchange, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, trapped Anthony Edwards at the sideline in front of Boston's bench, forcing a turnover.

That led to the Celtics' soon-to-be five-time All-Star cashing in on an open three from the right wing, then blowing a kiss to the crowd as the hosts went up 125-120 with 51 seconds to go.

That proved to be the knockout blow as Boston remained unbeaten at TD Garden this season, improving to 18-0 with a 127-120 win.

Tatum, who generated 14 points in the final frame and 12 more in overtime, finished with 45, leading all scorers.

Further Reading

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Jaylen Brown Calls for Investigation into Celtics Loss to Pacers: 'Got the Right to be Upset'

Oshae Brissett Making Strong Case to Fill Celtics' Search for Big Wing

Driven by Championship Pursuit, Jayson Tatum Unfazed by Sacrifice, Less Fanfare: 'Don't Look for That Praise'

Celtics Maximization Fueled by Their Maturation: 'Not Taking Days for Granted'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics Have 'Green Light' to Add to Payroll, But Boston Still Restricted

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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