The Boston Celtics (25-21) defeated the host Washington Wizards (20-22) 116-91 at Verizon Center on Monday.
This was the second game in as many nights for the Celtics but they showed no signs of fatigue. Contrarily, the Wizards came into this game after a four-day break. The extra long time between games was a result of their last game being cancelled due to inclement weather.
Boston played a great team game, as usual, with six players scoring in double digits. Three of those players came from the bench and contributed to a total 60 bench points. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics in scoring with a game-high 23 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), along with nine assists and four rebounds, in 28 minutes. Evan Turner came up big off the bench. Turner tallied 18 points (7-11 FG, 4-5 FT), five rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart was also strong off the bench, as he finished with 13 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 32 minutes. Boston has now extended its win streak to three games and its record versus the Wizards this season to 4-0.
Washington has had tough luck not only versus the Celtics, but against the entire Atlantic Division this season. The Wizards are now 1-8 against the Atlantic. Despite getting Drew Gooden and Otto Porter back in the lineup, the Wizards were not able to keep up with the Celtics in this one. They gave up 20 turnovers and only shot 42 percent from the field as a team. Porter started in place of Jared Dudley and finished with a solid 15 points (6-11 FG), six rebounds and two assists, in 29 minutes. Jared Dudley pitched in 15 points (5-7 FG), in 31 minutes off the bench. Marcin Gortat finished with a double-double including 10 points (3-5 FG, 4-4 FT) and 11 rebounds, in 29 minutes. Bradley Beal left the game early in the first half after being hit in the face and suffering a bleeding nose.
The Wizards head straight to Toronto, where they will play their second game in two nights. The Raptors have been hot lately and pose another Atlantic Division threat to Washington.
The Celtics have a day off before they host the Nuggets on Wednesday.
