Game Preview: Celtics v Wizards

The Boston Celtics play host to the Washington Wizards in Game 1 of the Eastern
Conference semifinals, at TD Garden on Sunday afternoon. After closing out each
of their first-round series in six games, the Wizards and Celtics are set to
clash in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The teams split the season series
2-2, while the home team won every time. Things got heated once or twice between
these two teams during the regular season, which should add fuel to the battle.
John Wall was huge all season for the Wizards, where he averaged 23.1 points and
10.7 assists per game. However, Wall has taken it to yet another level in the
playoffs, as he averaged 29.5 points and 10.3 assists in Washington’s
first-round series against the Hawks. Wall came up particularly huge in Game 6,
where he poured in 42 points, to go along with eight assists, four steals and
two blocks, in 44 minutes, to lead the Wizards to the second round. Bradley Beal
also managed to elevate his already high-quality game for the playoffs, as he
averaged 25.8 points per game on 46 percent shooting in the first round. The
combo of Beal and Wall combined for 73 points in their last game, and is the key
to Washington’s success. Meanwhile, the Celtics have an All-Star point guard of
their own that is leading them through the playoffs, as Isaiah Thomas averaged a
team-high 23.0 points per game through the first round. Thomas peaked at 33
points in the first round, but struggled from beyond the arc, as he only shot
above 30 percent from long range once in the series. Avery Bradley came up huge
in the Celtics’ Game 6 win, as he led the team with 23 points on 9-of-12
shooting. The Celtics will need to continue to use a full team effort in order
to have a chance at taking down the high energy Wizards. It is possible that
Amir Johnson may see more playing time as the Celtics adjust to a new opponent,
however Gerald Green was solid, averaging nine points and two rebounds, in 17
minutes per game during the first round, and could possibly retain the starting
role.