Love: Garnett ‘does whatever he needs to do' to win

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BOSTON -- It has been five years since the Boston Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team with which he spent his first 12 seasons with and stayed loyal to through thick and thin.
Time has passed, Garnett has won a championship, and the Timberwolves have moved forward with Kevin Love at the helm.
Garnett shrugged off the significance of playing against his former team -- "absolutely not," he responded when asked if the Timberwolves bring out more in him than other squads -- but that doesn't mean his successor has any less of a challenge on his hands when the Celtics and Timberwolves meet.
On Wednesday, Garnett posted his fifth double-double of the season with 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, and four assists during the Celtics 104-94 win.
How did Love describe Garnett's performance?
"Being Kevin Garnett," he said succinctly.
Love was drafted in 2008, one year after Garnett's departure. Now in his fifth season, he has been countered with a zoned-in veteran each time. Garnett entered the game averaging 14.3 points (60.9 FG), 10.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in six meetings against his former team.
"Hes intense," said Love. "Hes KG. Hes a guy that defensively hell clamp on you. He didnt leave me when he was out there more than once tonight, really clamped in. I think he hit big shots early, set the tone, set screens, and pokes and prods and elbows and jabs."
Garnett shot down the theory that he played with an extra spark because of his opponent. Rajon Rondo noted Garnett "plays well every time" against the Timberwolves but suggested asking Garnett himself for the reason. Paul Pierce has his own thoughts on the matter.
I think hes just accepted the challenge of playing against the top players, such as Kevin Love, in the game," said Pierce. "Hes recognized as one of the better power forwards and when Kevin (Garnett) matches up with him, he really takes on the challenge whether he was playing in Minnesota or somewhere else."
Following the game, Garnett focused his attention on the Celtics aggressiveness and defensive energy in their win. He spoke on trying to slow down Love and being efficient on the court. Amid a long list of what he went right in the game, none of the items included a personal victory against his former team.
That's part of the reason why it was easy for Love to characterize Garnett's game.
"He does whatever he needs to do in order for his team to win," said Love, "and that sums up Kevin Garnett to me."

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