Table of Contents
- 1 A very hard-fought match ends 107-105, in which the performances of Tatum, Brown, White and Edwards stand out
- 2 the beginning
- 3 recovery
- 4 * Based on the performances in this game, how do you think the Celtics and Timberwolves match up against the top contenders in their respective conferences?
A very hard-fought match ends 107-105, in which the performances of Tatum, Brown, White and Edwards stand out
Gianmarco Calvaresi
November 25, 2024 (change at 00:41) – MILAN
Partials, comebacks, triples and errors. The game that opens Sunday’s NBA is a roller coaster, but in the end, as often happens, the Celtics come out on top, beating Minnesota 107-105. Mazzulla’s team (14-3) finds its fifth consecutive success, while the Timberwolves’ hopes of a comeback (8-8) are extinguished with Naz Reid’s missed triple at the end of the game, suffering their fifth defeat in their last seven outings.
the beginning
—
If as usual Brown and Tatum lead the Celtics’ attack, Derrick White is the man everywhere who decides the game. For Finch, however, Edwards’ offensive talent and Gobert’s defensive presence (20 rebounds) are not enough: Minnesota is still a distant relative of the solid team admired last season. The start of the race at the TD Garden takes on surreal contours. We start with a Jaylen Brown on fire with three points, with a sensational 5/5 in the first 4′ of the game, but the Celtics’ scoreboard remains unchanged in the following 6′. Once the storm passed, Minnesota got into the game thanks to Gobert’s defense, who prevented the Celtics from making easy shots at the rim and grabbed 9 rebounds in the first quarter alone, while Edwards led a counter-partial of 21-9. It’s the bench that rekindles a spark for Boston: a couple of triples from Hauser and Pritchard restart Mazzulla’s supercar, Tatum and Horford pick up the pace and the Celtics’ lead reaches +10. However, 41% from 3 on 29 attempts and 8 free throws more than their opponents were not enough for the Celtics to escape: Minnesota kept the game in balance by taking advantage of the better penetration percentages and the extra possessions guaranteed by Gobert’s 7 offensive rebounds. Randle limits the damage in Edwards’ minutes of rest, and in the final minutes of the first half comes the Wolves counterattack signed by Ant-Man and Donte DiVincenzo.
recovery
—
The teams return to the locker rooms with the reigning champions ahead 55-52. After a balanced first half, the Celtics raise the intensity a lot and Tatum takes over the keys to the attack: 11 points in the third quarter for JT, who leads his team to a 22-4 run. And the Celtics’ attack always starts from the defense: Wolves forced to take difficult shots, with White even blocking Edwards, and then running in transition and finding the unmarked shooter. Minnesota, however, is resilient: despite the absence of a real point guard (Conley still unavailable), Finch’s team takes advantage of Boston’s drop in percentages to put the game back into question. The plays of Edwards and rookie Rod Dillingham bring the teams back to two possessions apart, while Gobert forces the hosts to force shots from outside. In the last quarter, with Minnesota back to -2, it is Derrick White who scores the heaviest baskets: the 19 points of the Olympic champion, to which are added 9 rebounds and 5 assists, keep Boston in front, and in the last possession it is Naz Reid to take the winning triple. The iron of the Garden, however, smiles on the Celtics, who find their fifth consecutive victory and remain in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Boston: Brown 29 (10/18, 7/10 3pt, 2/2 t.l.), Tatum 26, White 19. Rimbalzi: White 9. Assist: White 5.
Minnesota: Edwards 28 (9/21, 6/11 3pt, 4/4), Randle 23, Dillingham 14. Rimbalzi: Gobert 20. Assist: Edwards 7.
* Based on the performances in this game, how do you think the Celtics and Timberwolves match up against the top contenders in their respective conferences?
Here are some open-ended questions based on the article, designed to spark discussion and explore different perspectives. The questions are organized thematically.
**Initial Impressions and Game Summary:**
* The article describes the game as a “roller coaster.” What moments or factors contributed to this feeling? How did the game’s momentum shift throughout?
* Beyond the final score, what aspects of the game stood out to you? Were there any individual performances that particularly impressed you?
* Do you think the Celtics’ win was deserved? What evidence from the game supports your viewpoint?
**Team Performance and Strategic Analysis:**
* The article highlights Derrick White’s impact on the game. How did his contributions differ from those of Brown and Tatum?
* What does his performance suggest about his role on the Celtics?
* Despite losing, the Timberwolves showed resilience. What were some of their strengths in this game? What areas might they need to improve upon?
* How has Minnesota’s performance this season differed from expectations set by last year’s success?
**Player Focus:**
* How has Anthony Edwards developed since last season? What are his biggest strengths and weaknesses at this stage in his career?
* Predicting his future, what does he need to do to take his game to the next level?
* Rudy Gobert had a significant impact on the game statistically.
* However, his “defensive presence” didn’t prevent the Celtics from scoring. How can we assess his overall contribution to the Timberwolves?
**The Bigger Picture:**
* The article mentions the Celtics are “in second place in the Eastern Conference.” What are their prospects for the remainder of the season?
* How do you see the Timberwolves’ season unfolding? What needs to happen for them to be competitive in a challenging Western Conference?
*
These open-ended questions encourage participants to analyze the game from various angles, consider different viewpoints, and engage in meaningful discussion about the performances, strategies, and narratives surrounding both teams.
