Tim's Game Preview: Game 74, Boston Celtics

Did Danny Ainge trade away Boston's chance at winning a championship this season?

Minnesota Timberwolves (17-56) vs. Boston Celtics (50-21) at Target Center

Tonight, the Boston Celtics come into town to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Celtics have lost two in a row, including an 83-81 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday, and have dropped out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. If they lose tonight, they could drop to third place in the East for the first time since early November.

The Wolves, meanwhile, may be welcoming the return of Kevin Love to the lineup. Love said that the groin is feeling better and he might give it a go tonight. Will this mean Anthony Randolph returns to the bench? Does Kurt Rambis have the cajones to bench Darko Milicic? How long until fans get so fed up with the Wolves that they gather at a midnight summit Warriors-style, with Stop-and-Pop screaming, "Can you dig it?!"

Let's break down tonight's matchups:

I think we can all agree that our team has the better Serbian center.

Darko Milicic vs. Nenad Krstic

Given the important role that Kendrick Perkins has played for the Cetlics over the last few years, it was surprising when Danny Ainge traded him to Oklahoma City. While the move makes a lot of sense for the future, it certainly makes them a worse team in the present and the other veterans on the team were definitely not happy about the move. If the Celtics have to face Dwight Howard or Joakim Noah in the playoffs? If the Celtics make it to the Finals and have to contend with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol?

The odds of the Celtics hoisting another banner are a lot less than they were before the deal took place.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, another center controversy is taking place. Should Anthony Randolph get the start at center instead of Darko? Randolph has played very well with Love out (27 points and 13 rebounds a game), and now that Love is returning, what will happen to the minutes?

Winner: Darko Milicic

As long as you're "intense", playing dirty is okay.

Kevin Love vs. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Love plays dirty. Dirty as in grimy. Dirty as in scrapes and bruises from putting his body on the line.

Kevin Garnett plays dirty. Dirty as in sneaky. Dirty as in punching people in the crotch and putting his foot under jump shooters as they come down.

I like the first type of dirty. Oceanary recently called Anthony Randolph the most entertaining Wolf since KG. I disagree. I think Kevin Love takes that title. Sure, he's not a high flyer or a big dunker. But watching him outhustle everyone is a lot of fun. Watching him grab a rebound with one arm and fling it back up for an and-one is a thrilling play.

I hope Love plays the rest of the season, in tandem with Randolph, since I think that could be a very formidable front court.

Winner: Kevin Love

Remember when this guy was just another inefficient scorer on a terrible team?

Michael Beasley vs. Paul Pierce

Back in 2006-2007, Paul Pierce played on the 24-win Boston Celtics, a team that lost 18 in a row at one point. Now, Paul Pierce is thought of as a great scorer, great shooter and great closer. But back on that team? Before the Garnett/Allen trades, did anyone think Paul Pierce would win a championship with the Celtics? Doubtful. But he did the very next year.

This year, Michael Beasley is thought of in many of the same ways that Pierce was thought of 4 seasons ago. Does anyone think Beasley will win a championship with the Wolves? I'm not saying the Wolves might win the title next year - although, I think the chances are high - but fans are pretty quick to say what the future will hold, even though the best teams usually break trends anyway.

Winner: Michael Beasley

The best shooting stroke in history? Tell that to Wesley Johnson.

Wesley Johnson vs. Ray Allen

I could sit in a gym and watch Ray Allen take jumpers by himself for an hour. That's how awesome this guy's shooting stroke is to watch.

Wesley Johnson is in that territory.

The guy was born to shoot the basketball. Maybe he can't dribble that well and his needs to be more assertive with the basketball, but anyone who watches this guy play for more than 10 minutes can tell that he's a baller. It would be nice if fans gave Wesley Johnson the same amount of patience and latitude as they gave/are giving to Anthony Randolph.

Winner: Wesley Johnson

Has a less-talented person ever benefitted more from having a superstar supporting cast?

Luke Ridnour vs. Rajon Rondo

Imagine its a bizarro world where Rajon Rondo was traded to the Wolves in the Al Jefferson trade and Jonny Flynn was drafted by the Celtics. Who do you think becomes the better player? There is something to be said for nature vs. nurture.

Jonny Flynn has turned into a scapegoat for fans. All it took was two years, a bad hip, Kurt Rambis and a lot of booing to turn a happy-go-lucky quality point guard Jonny Flynn into a guy who looks like he dislikes basketball and wants to catch the next train out of Minnesota. It really is a shame. Even since his name was announced instead of Stephen Curry's, he never really had a chance in this town.

But if he were surrounded by three Hall-of-Famers, people might look at Flynn quite a bit differently.

Winner: Luke Ridnour

Thanks to these two, the Timberwolves are on their way to a dynasty.

My Prediction: Timberwolves 95 - Boston Celtics 82

Timberwolves' Record: 18-56