enlarge The Associated Press

Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics loses the ball Wednesday night while fouled by Ryan Gomes of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first period of Boston’s 92-90 victory at Minneapolis. The Celtics and Denver are the only NBA teams that are still undefeated.

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WHO: Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

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MINNEAPOLIS — Even when Kevin Garnett isn't scoring at a high level, he can find so many other ways to affect the outcome of a game.

For 12 seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves were the beneficiaries of that all-around brilliance.

On Wednesday night they fell victim to it.

Garnett had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his third game back in Minnesota since he was traded in 2007, helping the Boston Celtics remain undefeated with a 92-90 victory against the Timberwolves.

Rajon Rondo scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Celtics (6-0), who joined the Denver Nuggets as the only teams in the league without a loss.

Garnett's former team gave his current one all it could handle. The Timberwolves had a chance to tie in the final 10 seconds, but Garnett, who made two beautiful interior passes for layups earlier in the final period, forced a jump ball with Corey Brewer on an amazing defensive play with 3.6 seconds to play to seal it.

"I'm so numb when I come in here," Garnett said. "I sort of put my face on, as I say. I get so intense."

Oleksiy Pecherov scored a career-high 24 points and Al Jefferson added 18 for the Timberwolves, who led throughout the first three quarters before Eddie House hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie it going into the final period.

"We didn't get too excited, didn't get too frustrated when we were playing awful," Boston Coach Doc Rivers said. "I think that's good. That's a sign of experience. I don't think anybody panicked."

Garnett came to Minnesota straight from high school in 1995, growing up from a skinny kid into a dominant force on both ends of the floor. He owns nearly every franchise career record worth having, but the Timberwolves decided to part ways with him.

In just his third game back in the arena that he essentially built, it would be hard to imagine Garnett even recognized the franchise that he put on the map.

Every player from his final season in Minnesota is gone.

"It's easy to come in here and focus because I don't have any of my old teammates here anymore," Garnett said.

The Wolves (1-4) led by eight points at halftime and by three with 6:44 to play, but couldn't hang on against the battle-tested Celtics. They have lost the last three games by a combined 13 points.

"They battled once again," Coach Kurt Rambis said. "I like the way our guys are fighting. I like the way they're competing. They just don't quit. They keep believing they can win. I admire that about them."