Celtics 104, Timberwolves 94
Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead all five starters in double figures as host Boston continued its domination of Minnesota.
Paul Pierce also scored 18 points and Rajon Rondo returned from a two-game suspension to record 17 points and 11 assists as the Celtics beat the Timberwolves for the 11th consecutive time.
Kevin Love had his seventh double-double in eight games with 19 points and 13 boards to pace Minnesota, which had its two-game winning streak snapped and dropped its seventh straight in Boston.
The Celtics trailed 51-47 at halftime and led by only two late in the third quarter before Rondo scored six points in the last 3 1/2 minutes to help Boston extend the margin to 79-72.
After J.J. Barea opened the scoring in the fourth, the Celtics answered with an 11-1 surge capped by Jason Terry's 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 90-75 with 7:48 to play.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Celtics entered the game as the league's worst rebounding team but had a 45-41 edge on the glass thanks to a combined 12 boards off the bench by Jared Sullinger and Chris Wilcox. ... The Timberwolves, who have not won in Boston since March 6, 2005, hurt themselves at the free-throw line by converting only 14 of 30. ... Boston F Brandon Bass was scoreless at intermission but finished with 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the second half as the Celtics shot 52.6 percent for the game.