NBA playoffs: Wizards even series with Celtics
The Boston Celtics are proving to be a very streaky team in the 2017 NBA playoffs.
In the first round, the top-seeded Celtics were expected to handle the Chicago Bulls. Instead, the first two games at TD Garden went to the visitors, with former Boston great Rajon Rondo slicing through a lousy defense with the help of Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler. For all the world, it seemed the young Celtics were going to learn a hard lesson at the hands of veterans.
Instead, Boston was able to rally behind a gutsy effort at the hands of Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, who lost his younger sister in a car accident in the hours before Game 1, was able to emotionally regroup, leading a valiant effort. Boston went on to win the series in six games, taking four straight contests.
In the Eastern Conference semis against the Washington Wizards, most of the pundits saw the series going to six or perhaps seven affairs. Instead, the Celtics came out and appeared dominant, scoring at will through the first two games to grab a 2-0 lead.
Yet, things have shifted once more for Boston. In Game 3, Kelly Oubre and the Wizards were able to get on the board. In Game 4, Washington evened the series and sent the Celtics back to Boston with a 121-102 win. The contest was in doubt deep into the second half, when the Wizards went on an epic 26-0 run to end all hope of a quick series for Boston.
John Wall and Bradley Beal were fantastic, combing for 56 points to continue their dream of meeting up with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals. While nobody should believe Washington (or Boston) has any real hope of taking down the Cavs, it would be a significant feather in the cap of both teams.
The Wizards appeared to be dead only a few days ago, but Wall has shown the brilliance worthy of a champion. In Game 4, the former University of Kentucky standout went for 27 points with 12 assists, this despite a shooting performance of 8-of-25 from the field with seven turnovers.
Thomas was only able to score 19 points with five assists. By the standards of most, it was a good game. For Thomas, it is the kind of performance that leaves his faithful underwhelmed.
Now, the two teams had back to TD Garden, hoping to put the other on the brink of elimination. Neither has been in that spot before in these playoffs, though Boston certainly had to feel that pressure in Game 3 of the first round. Look for the Celtics to give their best in Game 5, while Beal and Wall continue to press for their first appearance in the conference finals.
