The Boston Celtics have a chance to, once again, climb above .500 in their final game of a seven-game homestand that has seen them go 3-3 in games to date.
Luckily for them, they get to take on a fairly easy opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At this stage in the season, the Timberwolves are sporting a 13-39 record. That is the worst mark in the NBA and is 1.5 games worse than the Houston Rockets, who the C's have demolished twice in as many games. So, the Celtics should hypothetically have a great shot at earning another victory.
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Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, but the Celtics are expected to have all of their players available on Friday night save for Evan Fournier. Kemba Walker will be returning from a rest day while everyone aside from Fournier is out of the NBA's health and safety protocols. That should allow them to take advantage of a Timberwolves defense that is allowing 117.3 points per game, the third-highest mark in the league.
Additionally, the T'Wolves will be without their second-leading scorer Malik Beasley. He is out with a hamstring injury, so the Timberwolves will have to find a way to replace his 19.6 points per game production.
While Karl-Anthony Towns will provide a test to the C's front line and rookie Anthony Edwards will be fun to watch, the C's should be able to emerge with the win. It would be good if they could start quickly on offense, but so long as they continue to move the ball and get open shots, they will hold the advantage in this one, even without Fournier.
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Celtics vs. Timberwolves: How to watch, TV channel and live stream
When: Friday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV channel: NBC Sports Boston
Live stream: NBC Sports Boston or the MyTeams App
Be sure to tune into NBC Sports Boston at 7 p.m. for "Celtics Pregame Live" presented by TD Bank. We will have complete coverage after the final buzzer with "Celtics Postgame Live" presented by Your New England Ford Dealers. You can watch both shows on the MyTeams App or by clicking here.