Celtics @ Timberwolves Stat Pack

*Although the Timberwolves struggled in the first quarter on Friday, they still own the league’s best numbers in the first 12 minutes.
–Their 33 points and +7.7 scoring differential per first quarter this season are by far the highest in the NBA in 2013-14.

*Happy 67^th birthday to Celtics legend Jo Jo White.

*The Wolves are 1 of 2 teams to be in the top 10 of both offensive and defensive efficiency coming into Saturday’s games.
–Wolves: tied 8^th in offense and 9^th in defense
–Other team: Warriors 5^th in offense and 4^th in defense

*Portland outrebounded Boston by 13 boards, which is the Celtics’ worst rebound margin at home this season.
–When the Celtics have been outrebounded by more than just a couple boards this season, they are now 1-5.
–Aldridge and Lopez both had double-digit rebounding performances on Friday for the Blazers.
–The Celtics still only have 2 double-digit rebounding performances TOTAL this season (Faverani and Olynyk).

*Not only did Sullinger score a career-high 26 points in Friday’s game, but it is also the most points scored by a Celtics player in a game this season.

*With 2 steals on Friday, Jordan Crawford has at least one steal in 5 consecutive games for the first time since early 2012 (8-game streak in February/March 2012).

*On Friday, the Celtics’ starting lineup did not make a 3-pointer for the first time since January 20, 2013.

*This is the 3^rd end of a back-to-back for both Boston and Minnesota this season.
–2 of the Timberwolves’ 4 losses this season have come on the 2^nd night of back-to-backs (they 0-2 overall on zero days of rest this season).

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Timberwolves
–Before the Wolves took the last meeting from the Celtics (April 1, 2013 in Minnesota), Boston had won the previous 11 meetings.