The Celtics controlled most of the first half, but a lengthy offensive cold streak in the second half spelled disaster against the Timberwolves

The Celtics and Timberwolves played in another close game, just as they've done for the past two years, though it was Minnesota coming out on top.

The Minnesota Timberwolves welcome the Boston Celtics to Target Center on Saturday for a matchup of two teams holding identical 10-8 records. Both squads are looking to build momentum, but the path to victory may be complicated by the health report for one side.

The Boston Celtics may be without multiple key players in Saturday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Wolves cranked up their defensive pressure in the second half to turn a 10-point halftime deficit into a 12-point lead with fewer than four minutes to play. Two minutes later, Boston tied the game on a Jaylen Brown triple with 98 ticks left on the clock.

The Celtics started to play sloppy as the Timberwolves cut their deficit to 1 point on an Anthony Edwards layup that forced Boston to call a timeout at the 4:52 mark of the quarter. Edwards gave the T-Wolves the lead out of the timeout as he started to heat up.

A triumvirate of Boston Celtics starters could sit out Saturday's clash against the similarly middling Minnesota Timberwolves. Per Boston's official X account,

Boston Celtics face a tough road game against a healthy Minnesota Timberwolves tonight, severely hampered by Jayson Tatum's continued absence due to a

Brown is currently listed as questionable on the NBA injury report with the aforementioned low back spasms. The Celtics are 10-8 overall this season. Jayson Tatum's injury absence has been felt, but Brown is doing everything he can to help Boston win games. He's played at a high level and the Celtics are remaining competitive as a result.

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota comes into the matchup against Boston as losers of three straight games. The Timberwolves are 5-3 in home games. Minnesota has a 0-2 record in one-possession games. The Celtics are 4-4 in road games. Boston is 3-3 in games decided by less than 4 points.