Boston Celtics defeat Minnesota Timberwolves, 87-86

Kevin Garnett was lying on the hardwood in pain, yet ecstatic, after saving the game for the Celtics against his former team.

Boston beat struggling Minnesota (and six former Celtics), 87-86, last night in an emotional game before a sellout crowd at TD Banknorth Garden. Garnett, who played for the Timberwolves for 12 seasons, stole the ball from ex-Celtics guard Sebastian Telfair at midcourt with 1.8 seconds left to seal the win.

"This was a real emotional game just ...

The alums went down hard, which is exactly what Doc Rivers told his guys to expect.

"The other team attacked," said the Celtics' mentor after his team staggered home with a pretty much undeserved 87-86 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. "I've been in this league too long not to know that when players come back to their old place for the first time, they want to show the fans, they want to show the coach, they want to show the GM he made a mistake, and t...