The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA when fully healthy. If everyone in the starting lineup is available, there may not be a better starting roster in the league. Boston was able to prove this again on Thursday evening against the Timberwolves.

Boston defeated Minnesota 118-115 and they have now won three of their last four games. In this game, they were able to have the success they did because of what they could do to Minnesota’s star player, Anthony Edwards. They could frustrate him all night long.

Edwards finished the game with just 15 points on 5-16 from the field. He looked uncomfortable all night and was unable to get to his spots to be successful offensively. This came despite the Celtics missing both Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis from the starting lineup.

Brown usually guards the other team’s best player. Without him, Jrue Holiday was tasked with guarding Edwards. He did a phenomenal job holding him to just 2-9 from the 3-point line. Edwards was extremely frustrated out there because he felt like he had to pass the ball more than he wanted to. Edwards only had 15 shot attempts.

Edwards was asked about the Celtics’ tactics while guarding him and he expressed his frustration to the media.

“Yeah, even if I had the chance, I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re bringing two.’ Or an alley. I don’t know, man. I don’t know. I watch movies and try to figure it out. It’s hard to beat two NBA players, you know what I mean? These guys are NBA players. It’s not like high school or middle school. These guys, 6-8, 6-9, long, strong, athletic. Then they funnel me to the guy who is 8 feet tall at the edge. It’s crazy.”

The Celtics didn’t allow him to play the type of basketball Edwards likes to play, but he believed he was making the right plays for his team.

“Hell no. That was a good kind of basketball. “Obviously I don’t want to play like that,” Edwards said of Boston’s defense. “I’m only 23, I don’t want to just pass the ball all night… But the way they’re protecting me, I think I have to do it.”

Edwards is averaging 24.5 points this season, so the Celtics knew they had to take him out. That’s exactly what they did. Boston frustrates other teams’ best players by passing the ball more often than they would like. This is a good sign for the future.

More Celtics news: Derrick White explains how he regained his confidence despite shooting issues

Celtics News: Insider points out the biggest concerns about Boston repeating as champions