NBA Europe Live report: Boston 92-81 Minnesota
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The Boston Celtics finished their participation NBA Europe Live presented by EA Sports undefeated by topping the Minnesota Timberwolves 92-81 on Wednesday night at The O2 Arena in London, England. In a game that was highly anticipated for seeing Celtic Kevin Garnett face his old team, it was another Celtic newcomer, Ray Allen, who stole the show. Allen drilled 5 three-pointers on the way to 28 points to lead Boston, which defeated the Toronto Raptors 89-85 in Rome, Italy, on Saturday. Kendrick Perkins added 11 for Boston, while Garnett had 9 points and 6 rebounds, but also 6 turnovers. Ricky David paced Minnesota with 18 and Rashad McCants added 11. The Timberwolves will return home with a 1-1 record on the tour after edging Efes Pilsen 81-84 on Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey.
Perkins got Boston going early with the game's first basket and Allen immediately found his shooting rhythm, but Ricky Davis started off hot for Minnesota by making 4 three-pointers and scoring 16 points in the first quarter, which ended with Boston ahead 23-22. The game remained close into the second period, featuring six lead changes. The game was tied at 41-41 with three minutes to go in the half when Allen drilled an eight-meter bomb to ignite the team in green. Garnett was also a factor during the 15-6 run to end the half, scoring a basket, grabbing a steal and assisting twice to Perkins. Minnesota's only response came in the form of free throws by former Euroleague champion Marko Jaric and Ryan Gomes, leaving Boston with a 50-43 halftime lead.
Allen picked up the third period where he left off. His driving layup two-and-a-half minutes in gave the Celtics the game's first double-figure lead, 59-48. Allen continue to plug away as the lead reached 17. Former Celtics Ryan Gomes and Sebastian Telfair, both of whom came over in the deal for Garnett, tried to keep Minnesota in the picture and cut the gap to 75-63 heading into the fourth quarter. Another basket by Telfair followed by Jaric setting up McCants for a three made it just 75-68. The Timberwolves continued to chip away and cut the lead to 5 after a three-point play by Craig Smith, who was fouled by Esteban Batista. But that's when Minnesota ran out of gas. The Celtics responded with a 12-6 run led by Batista and Glen Davis to finish off the win.
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Thursday, October 11, 2007
Euroleague.net
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