ISTANBUL, Turkey – The Boston Celtics lost the first game of the NBA preseason Friday, 97-91 to Fenerbahce Ulker, a Turkish team.

First-round draft pick Jared Sullinger and Jeff Green scored 16 points each, but the Celtics paid the price for a weak second quarter, getting outscored 29-18.

Rajon Rondo had 13 points and nine assists, and Jason Terry scored 12. But 25 turnovers showed there’s work to be done before the next exhibition Sunday in Milan, Italy, against Emporio Armani.

TIMBERWOLVES: When the team president, David Kahn, made his pitch to Brandon Roy, he had a glaring need at shooting guard for him to fill, an accomplished coach who could put Roy in the right positions on the floor, and a two-year contract all on his side to woo the former All-Star.

He also had Will Conroy.

Kahn and Conroy go way back, to their time together in the NBDL when Kahn was the GM of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds and Conroy was his point guard. Conroy goes back even further with Roy. The two were teammates at Garfield High in Seattle and at the University of Washington. Conroy also played briefly in Houston with current Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman.

Kevin Durant and Chicago’s Derrick Rose.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.