by By MARK MURPHY , The Boston Herald

``They know what they're doing,'' first-year Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis said before last night's game. ``They obviously know their plays and everything that they're supposed to do, so they don't have to come to a shootaround.''

Celtics coach Doc Rivers appreciated the compliment.

``I guess that's true, but it's a pretty natural thing for us to do,'' Rivers said. ``There are days when we will walk through things in (the hotel) ballroom, but there's something to be said for rest.

``One thing this extra rest has done for us is that our practices have been unbelievable. The guys love it.''

The C's were playing on back-to-back nights after beating the 76ers in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Williams update

Here's an alert for all of those league types who soured on Shelden Willliams' value as an NBA player: Heading into the game against the Timberwolves, the backup power forward had reached double figures in three of the C's first five games, including a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double against Chicago last Friday.

The former lottery pick of the Atlanta Hawks, now with his fourth team, may not have lived up to the level of his draft status, but left to function in the Celtics system as a role player, the results are bearing fruit.

``He's benefited a great deal from where he is,'' teammate Ray Allen said. ``People haven't seen Shelden and (he) shot to the forefront of the league with this team. Now people want to know about him.

``People are hearing about his journey and it brings his value up. It brings our value up.''

Williams' work as a power forward has also made the loss of Glen Davis (thumb surgery) for approximately the next five weeks a lot easier to handle.

``He's comfortable, and every day is a better day for Shelden Williams,'' Rivers said. ``We just keep trying to tell him his role. He's starting to get it, as you can see. He knows when to shoot, and he's starting to find his spot, his little jump shot area. He's running in the pick-and-rolls. He's accepting his new role.''

Better left alone

Kevin Garnett, per usual, stayed as hidden as possible prior to the game against his old team. It was hard for all concerned to detect whether the forward was more driven than usual due to the opponent and city.

``Kevin's nuts before every game,'' Rivers said. ``He's the most intense person I've ever been around, and he's that way every night. I never ask (about Garnett facing Minnesota) I don't bring it up. And I know not to run the first play for him, because I know he's going to shoot it over the glass if I do.'' . . .

J.R. Giddens hasn't let the C's decision not to pick up his contract option affect his approach. The second-year forward will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

``I can't control it,'' Giddens said. ``I can't let it affect my day-to-day. . . . It's not like they don't like me.''

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