Wolves record: 16-30
The Timberwolves’ former franchise player reportedly is flat on his back at home in bed, out for today’s game because of the flu.
“For Kevin not to play any game is unusual,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. ” For him not to play this game means he’s really sick.”
Paul Pierce scored 36 points and Ray Allen added 22 for the Celtics, who ran their winning streak to 11 games and improved to an NBA-best 40-9.
Al Jefferson had a monster game with 34 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota (16-30), which pulled to within five on his slam dunk with 5:20 remaining but never got any closer.
“It was to our advantage to have one less long guy playing in the paint and blocking shots,” Jefferson said. “To come in here and do what I did today against a team like that – even with KG out, it’s still a great defensive team – it means a lot.”
Randy Foye had 21 points and nine assists, and Jefferson also had 11 rebounds – the 26th double-double of the season for a player who was a surprise exclusion from this month’s All-Star game in Phoenix.