MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 33 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and the Boston Celtics beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-115 on Thursday night.
Derrick White scored 26 points for Boston, while Sam Hauser — filling in for the injured Jaylen Brown — hit five 3-pointers and scored 15 points.
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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) works toward the basket as Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks to pass while defended by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9), back, forward Sam Hauser (30), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after not receiving a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Naz Reid added 20 points off the bench, while Jaden McDaniels had 19 points and eight boards.
The Timberwolves trailed by eight with two minutes to play but they had a chance to send it into overtime. However, Anthony Edwards' 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer.
Celtics: After winning 16 of its first 19 games, Boston had a ho-hum 8-6 record in December. A victory in Minnesota was a great way to kick off a four-game road trip to start 2025.
Timberwolves: Minnesota began the week with a chance to test itself against one of the heavy hitters in each conference. After a 113-105 loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday, the Timberwolves came up just short against the Celtics.
With the Celtics leading 46-45 midway through the second quarter, Tatum hit the second of two free throws, then drained 3-pointers on Boston's next two possessions. That was part of a 16-6 run to close the second quarter, sending the Celtics into the locker room with a 62-51 lead.
Boston committed just four turnovers while the Timberwolves turned it over 16 times on the night.
The Celtics visit Houston on Friday while the Timberwolves face the Pistons in Detroit on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) works toward the basket as Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks to pass while defended by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9), back, forward Sam Hauser (30), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after not receiving a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Boston University's Cole Eiserman broke a second-period tie and the defending champion United States beat Czechia 4-1 on Saturday night to advance to the world junior hockey championship game.
The Americans will face Finland — a 4-3 overtime winner over Sweden in the first semifinal — for the title Sunday night. Finland beat the United States 4-3 in overtime in group play.
Eiserman made it 2-1 with 6:19 left in the second with a one-timer off a cross-ice feed.
“I’m proud of our guys,” said coach David Darle of Denver. “We played an excellent Czech team and it was a very difficult game. We continue to grow as a group and we’ll get set to face another great team in Finland tomorrow."
Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault each had a goal and an assist for the Americans. Minnesota's Oliver Moore also scored, and Michigan State's Trey Augustine made 26 saves.
The Americans are seeking their seventh title and first back-to-back championships.
“It would mean everything,” said Perreault, who also played last season. “We definitely have the team to do it. We’ll be ready to go.”
Jakub Stancl scored for the Czechs. Michael Hrabal stopped 21 shots.
In the first semifinal, Benjamin Rautiainen scored on a power play at 9:22 of overtime to lift Finland past Sweden.
Rautiainen beat goalie Melker Thelin from a sharp angle to the right of the net on a 4-on-3 man advantage with Tom Willander in the penalty box for holding.
“Very skillful guy at doing things like that,” Finnish coach Lauri Mikkola said about Rautiainen. “Nobody expected when he shoots.”
Petteri Rimpinen made 43 saves for Finland. Emil Hemming had a goal and an assist and Jesse Kiiskinen and Arttu Alasiurua also scored.
Otto Stenberg scored twice for Sweden. Wilhelm Hallquisth also scored and Thelin stopped 31 shots.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
United States forward Max Plante (22) celebrates with teammate Trey Augustine (1) after they defeated Czechia in World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia defenseman Jakub Fibigr (7) is hit by United States forward Trevor Connelly (19) during third-period World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) celebrates after his goal with teammates Gabe Perreault (34) and James Hagens (12) during third-period World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action against Czechia in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States defenseman Drew Fortescue (5) checks Czechia forward Jakub Stancl (21) during second-period World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States defenseman Zeev Buium (28) shoves Czechia forward Adam Novotny, left, during second-period World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) celebrates after his goal against Czechia during third-period World Junior hockey championship semifinal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sweden forward Otto Stenberg (25) scores on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) during second period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship tournament action on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Tuomas Uronen (15) tries to tip a shot past Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) during the second period of a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Arttu Alasiurua (29) celebrates his goal against Sweden with teammates Emil Hemming (32), Daniel Nieminen (7) and Tuomas Uronen (15) during the second period of a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen looks on as Sweden forward Linus Eriksson flies through the air after clipping the net during the first period of a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Jesse Kiiskinen (38) scores on Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) during the second period of a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sweden forward David Edstrom (15) and teammates Axel Hurtig (6) and Axel Sandin Pellikka react after losing in overtime against Finland in semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sweden defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka(4) hugs goaltender Melker Thelin after losing in overtime against Finland in a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Konsta Helenius (19) hugs Benjamin Rautiainen (37) after Rautiainen scored the game winning goal in overtime against Sweden in a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland players pile on teammate Benjamin Rautiainen (37) after he scored the winning goal in overtime against Sweden in semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland's Benjamin Rautiainen (37) celebrates with teammates Rasmus Kumpulainen (18), Kasper Halttunen (22) and Konsta Helenius after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against Sweden in a semifinal game at the world junior hockey championship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
