This group aren't the Pats...that's for sure
CELTICS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 100
Celtics find .500 a satisfying number
Perseverance pays off as Pierce sets the pace
By Peter May, Globe Staff | February 7, 2005
MINNEAPOLIS -- It was impossible not to notice the vast emotional gulf between teams with exactly the same records. The 24-24 Boston Celtics left the Target Center feeling confident, proud, and together. The 24-24 Minnesota Timberwolves left the same building with a hangdog look, wondering what is happening to what was supposed to be another special season.
"It's amazing," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said yesterday after his team had taken a 103-100 victory over the Wolves to pull to .500 for the first time since Nov. 21. "We're at .500 and ecstatic. They're at .500 and think the world is crumbling around them. It really isn't for them. And we want to do better. It's been a struggle. It's been a climb. And now we have to protect that number."
The Celtics finally hit the .500 mark after missing on their last three chances, all on the road, all against quality teams. They were on the road again this time, but the Timberwolves are in the middle of an absolutely brutal streak and do not rate as a quality opponent. Not now, anyway. Yesterday's loss was their fifth in a row, their longest skid in three years, and Paul Pierce (32 points) took notice during a break in the action that a lot of the energy in the Target Center was missing.