• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Familiar foes meet when Celtics face Timberwolves

Feb 1, 2009 - 12:06 PM Minnesota (16-29) at Boston (39-9) 12:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Kevin Garnett made his return to Minnesota earlier in the season. Now it's time for Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes to greet some old fans.

The Boston Celtics will be looking to secure their 11th straight win when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

Jefferson and Gomes were two of the main pieces that went back to Minnesota in the trade that brought Garnett to Boston in the summer of 2007. While The Celtics won a championship last season and are one of the best teams in the league again this year, Jefferson and company have yet to lift the Timberwolves to similar heights.

Minnesota has not beaten Boston in three meetings since the trade, and Jefferson was held to 15 points when the Timberwolves played here last season. Gomes added 13 and another former Celtic, Sebastian Telfair, led with 18 in an 87-86 loss.

Minnesota has dropped two straight since beginning 2009 10-2 and allowed a season-high in points Friday in a 139-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Jefferson collected 34 points and 17 rebounds in the setback and is averaging 22.9 and 10.6.

Boston took down the Detroit Pistons, 86-78, on Friday as Garnett scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The Celtics had 25 assists on 31 field goals against the Pistons.

In the first meeting between the teams this season Garnett celebrated an emotional return to the Twin Cities with 17 points to lead the Celtics to a 95-78 win. Jefferson led the Timberwolves with 23 points.