Time, TV, odds and notes

On By Littum

The Timberwolves are coming off a 113-105 loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Minnesota committed 23 turnovers in the loss, a state that coach Chris Finch said he is concerned about.

“If we don’t turn the ball over, we can control this game,” Finch said. “No doubt about it.”

The Celtics forced 21 turnovers — including 14 steals — in their win against Toronto. Jrue Holiday returned to the lineup after a three-game absence with a right shoulder injury, adding three steals to the Celtics’ defensive dominance.

Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10 games, which for the Celtics looks much more worrisome, especially as they enter the new year with the same mindset of winning another championship.

Here is your preview.

When: Thursday, 7.30 p.m

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis

TV, radio: NBCSB, TNT, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -3.5. O/O: 220.0.

CELTIC

Season record: 24-9. vs. spread: 13-20. Above/below: 15-17, 1 push

Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 4-6. Above/below: 4-6

Timber wolves

Season record: 17-15. vs. spread: 13-19. Above/below: 15-17

Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 4-6. Above/below: 5-5

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Boston 119.6, Minnesota 109.2

Points allowed per game: Boston 108.9, Minnesota 107.4

Field goal percentage: Boston .460, Minnesota .458

Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .454, Minnesota .458

3-point percentage: Boston .368, Minnesota .372

Opponent 3-Point Percentage: Boston .349, Minnesota .344

Today’s stats: Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards leads the league in three-pointers with 129. Boston’s Payton Pritchard is close behind with 122.

Notes: The Celtics will need to play active defense on the Timberwolves’ stars, including Edwards, who is averaging 24.8 points per game. game on 44.3 percent shooting, and forward Julius Randle, who is averaging 19.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. match … This is the second and last meeting between these two teams this season. Boston won the previous matchup 107-105 after a late comeback attempt from Minnesota. Brown led all scorers with 29 points, while Edwards scored 28. Both teams shot close to 42 percent from the field and committed only single-digit turnovers.

Aiden Barker can be contacted at [email protected]