The Boston Celtics came to Target Center needing a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the worst way after a painful defeat at the hands of the lowly Houston Rockets, but they very nearly came away with a loss, the T-Wolves pushing them right up to the final buzzer. Instead, the Celtics escape with a 104-102 win that keeps them one game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference standings.
In a game Boston led nearly tip to buzzer, a better effort on both ends (barely) kept a familiar script from unfolding as the game progressed. But strong outings from Jaylen Brown (35 points, 10 rebounds), Jayson Tatum (22 points, 12 boards despite going 0-for-8 from 3), and Malcolm Brogdon (12 points, 6 boards off of the bench) helped secure the win.
