Celtics last quarter surge wipes out 14-point lead and defeats Wolves 103-96
KG 29/13, Hassell 18, Wally 22; Troy 13; Eddie 4 blocks
*Boxscore *Video Hightlights *Play-by-Play
*Paul Pierce pushes Celtics past Timberwolves, AP

     (Minnesota 1/18/06 by The Poundmaster) Paul Pierce took over the game with a minute to go, scoring 25 points in a Boston Celtics win over the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-96. The Wolves had led by 14 points at one time in the game, by 13 in the second half.
     Kevin Garnett had 29 points and 13 rebounds, Wally Szczerbiak had 22 points and 6 rebounds, Trenton Hassell had 18 points and 4 rebounds, and Troy Hudson had 13 points and 6 assists.
     The Timberwolves lost the game in the paint, 40-54 and from the foul line, shooting only 59.35 in free throws.
     Pierce canned a three pointer with 10 minutes remaining to put the Celtics up by 4 at 77-73. But Michael Olowokandi put the Wolves back up 79-77. Troy Hudson had hit a three to put the Timberwolves up by 3 at 82-79. But an Al Jefferson jumper and Perkins underneath play put the Celtics back up 83-82.
     The Celtics cut the Timberwolves lead to 5 points midway through the third quarter on a Delonte West jumper, his 10th point of the game at that point. But the Wolves hung on for a 72-60 end of third quarter lead.
     The Timberwolves took a 55-45 halftime lead into the locker room on the strength of a sensational first half display by Kevin Garnett who was all over the court. KG had 17 points and Trenton Hassell at 16 in the half, including a heads up foul line lineup play on offense to score two.
     Kevin Garnett was shooting, rebounding and assisting like a point guard in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics, putting the Wolves up by a 32-22 score after 12 minutes. Garnett hit a 32-foot three pointer to end the quarter. Trenton Hassell showed his new offensive focus with 10 points in the period.