• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Celtics face Timberwolves, look for fourth straight win

Mar 4, 2007 - 2:55 PM Minnesota (26-32) at Boston (16-42) 12:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics are starting to win a few games, and it might hurt them in the long run.

Despite being in the race for the worst record in the NBA, the Celtics aim for their fourth straight win Sunday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After a franchise-record 18-game losing streak, Boston has gone 4-4 in its last eight games and now holds the second-worst record in the NBA - behind lowly Memphis (15-46).

However, with Paul Pierce healthy and back in the lineup, the Celtics may be in position to pick up some more wins down the stretch, hurting their chances at a high selection in one of the deepest drafts in years.

On Saturday, Boston staged an improbable rally en route to a 96-88 triumph over New Jersey.

Al Jefferson had a career-high 32 points and 18 rebounds, and Pierce overcame a horrific shooting performance to score 17 points for the Celtics, who trailed by seven points with under a minute remaining in regulation before storming back to stun the Nets.

In the last meeting between the teams, Minnesota handed Boston the final defeat in its team-record skid on February 11. The Timberwolves have lost two straight contests and five of their last six, including a 109-83 loss to Utah on Friday.

Minnesota went 1-4 on its four-game homestand and lost the final two games by 20 points or more for the first time in franchise history.