BOSTON — Celtics fans didn’t get to see Kevin Garnett step on the court, but that was their only reason to complain Monday.
Despite missing its entire starting frontcourt, Boston put forth one of its best offensive efforts of the season at TD Garden, shooting 52 percent from the floor and tallying 92 points through the first three quarters in a 113-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kelly Olynyk led the way for the C’s, tallying a team-high 19 points in his first start of the season. Tyler Zeller also had a strong game with 14 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes, while Jae Crowder chipped in 18 and Isaiah Thomas dropped a team-high 12 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns stuffed the stat sheet for Minnesota, finishing with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Andrew Wiggins scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak for the Celtics, who now sit at 15-13.
STARTING FIVE
Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, David Lee, Kelly Olynyk
GREEN LIGHT
Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson were sidelined with injuries, but Olynyk and Lee stepped right in to fill the void.
Olynyk was aggressive on offense all night, hitting all three of his 3-point attempts and going 7 for 10 from the field. He also dropped this mean jab step on Towns in the third quarter:
Lee struggled in the first half but came alive in the second, scoring all but two of his 13 points after halftime.
SHARPSHOOTING C’S
The Celtics came out firing in the first quarter.
Avery Bradley knocked down his first two shots of the game in what would be an excellent shooting quarter for Boston. The Celtics shot 59 percent in the frame and hit four of five 3-pointers, including R.J. Hunter’s incredible shot from halfcourt at the buzzer.
Boston’s 34 points in the quarter helped negate a 14-point early outburst from Towns, who dominated the Celtics’ frontcourt all night.
BENCH PRESS
The Celtics changed up their starting lineup Monday, but their bench still came to play.
Boston’s backups picked up where the starters had left off, hitting the first eight shots they attempted and helping the Celtics open up a double-digit lead. Zeller and Jonas Jerebko made the most of their opportunities, going a combined 5 for 7 from the floor for 13 total points in the first half.
BOSTON GLOBETROTTERS?
The Celtics’ offense hit full stride in the third quarter, and it was fun to watch.
Boston used more sharp shooting and a bit of pretty passing to rattle off a 12-2 run early in the quarter, which included this highlight-filled sequence capped by a slick Thomas pass:
The Celtics outscored Minnesota 32-19 in the quarter to enter the fourth with a comfortable 20-point lead.
ASK AND YOU WON’T RECEIVE
Celtics fans broke out several “We Want KG!” chants throughout the night, but head coach Sam Mitchell stuck to his pregame promise and didn’t play Garnett in what could be his last trip to TD Garden as a player.
Celtics fans got to show Garnett some love at the end of the game during “Gino Time,” however.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT
Hunter drilled a half-court shot at the first quarter buzzer and elicited an awesome reaction from his dad.
UP NEXT
The Celtics will hit the road Wednesday to take on the Charlotte Hornets for the second time in 12 days. Boston beat Charlotte 98-93 back on Dec. 12. Tipoff at Time Warner Cable Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
