Chris Forsberg, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

W2W4: C's vs. Wolves (Game 24 of 82)

The Boston Celtics (9-14, 6-8 home) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-19, 2-9 away) on Friday night at TD Garden (7:30 p.m., CSN). Here's what to watch for:

Post-trade fallout: Celtics coach Brad Stevens talked Thursday about the difficulty in getting his team to focus even as trade rumors swirled around his team. Now Stevens must figure out how to keep his team on task in the aftermath of Thursday's trade, even when all the talk is likely to focus on a player that's no longer here in Rajon Rondo.

Wolves in focus: The Wolves have been as bad as their record suggests. Minnesota ranks 26th in offensive rating (98.4), 28th in defensive rating (109.5), and 29th in net differential (minus-11.1). About the only advanced metric that leaps off the page -- in a positive way -- is Minnesota's offensive rebounding rate (sixth overall). The Timberwolves do crank the pace, ranking fourth in the league while averaging 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes (Boston is first at 100.49).

Loose Balls: Celtics rookie guard Marcus Smart tested his injured ankle/Achilles at Thursday's practice and, assuming no setbacks, he could be back in the lineup Friday (and Boston needs some ball-handlers with Rondo's departure). ... Boston can match its season-high three-game winning streak. ... A couple notes from STATS LLC: The Timberwolves have lost nine of 10 and would record their third losing streak of four or more games with a defeat Friday. ... Boston has won eight straight at home against Minnesota since a 99-97 loss on March 6, 2005.

(Read full game preview)

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