3 thoughts on the Wizards’ 121-102 demolition of the Celtics
COMMENTARY
Three thoughts on the Wizards’ 121-102 demolition of the Celtics in Game 4 …
In this particular debacle for the Celtics, the first quarter showed up disguised as the third quarter.
For the first time in the series, the Celtics didn’t let the Wizards get out to a large early lead in Game 4, even building a 30-20 lead early in the second quarter when Isaiah Thomas hit his fourth 3-pointer (“Ohhh, Isaiah Thomas is lethal!,’’ hollered TNT play-by-play voice Ian Eagle.)
There was no early 16-0 deficit (like in Game 1), no 22-0 first-quarter Washington run (like in Game 3). For a time — for a half – it felt like the Celtics’ game to win.
Then came the second half, and the realization that the embarrassment of a prolonged Wizards run had merely been delayed. After the Celtics – via Amir Johnson, no less – scored the first five points of the second half for a 53-48 lead, the Wizards tore off on fast break after fast break, blowing the Celtics off the court with a 26-0 run aided by 9 Celtics turnovers.
The Wizards outscored the Celtics 42-20 in the frame, and when it was over, you had a hard time figuring how the Celtics even had 20.
The Celtics are a very good basketball team. It’s easy to forget that today, but it’s true. They have proven that over the course of the regular season, through the Bulls series, and in winning the first two games of this series. But right now the Wizards look like a better team, and often by an embarrassingly wide margin.
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Grievances? Oh, we got grievances with this one. A few: Sloppy passing from Isaiah Thomas (6 turnovers) in the third quarter in particular. The Celtics guards are not especially creative passers, but Thomas is usually a reliable ballhandler. Not in this one … Terrible game for Jae Crowder (2 of 9 shooting), who missed open looks all day and at least twice fouled Wizards shooters at the rim for and-1 opportunities … Kelly Olynyk responded adequately to the ’99-Clemens-at-Fenway-level boos from the Washington crowd, scoring 14 points in 23 minutes. But he missed a couple of wide-open looks in the second quarter when the Wizards were stirring … Al Horford was something like minus-483, which is not ideal … Did Brad Stevens take a timeout during that 26-0 Washington run? If he did, I missed it and so did his team … It was interesting to hear Tommy Heinsohn suggest at halftime that Marcus Smart is out of shape. John Wall makes a lot of people look that way … The Celtics’ most effective offense after the first quarter was Rozier dribbling around and going one-on-one or Gerald Green heaving up garbage-time threes … Is that everyone? Just about. That should cover it.
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Wall finished with 27 points and 12 assists, and it seemed like more, probably because every single play he made belonged on a highlight reel.
His was a brilliant performance – probably the most brilliant 8-of-25 shooting performance you’ll ever see. (He started 0-for-9 before stepping on the accelerator in the third quarter). He was the fuel in the 26-0 run, torching Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, and any lesser defenders whom he cruelly turned into pylons.
It’s starting to feel like this series is the stage for his emergence as one of the NBA’s true superstars, the kind of player who can singularly seize control of a playoff series.
Backcourt partner Bradley Beal was excellent as well (29 points on 11 of 16 shooting) in Game 4, but he strikes you as a player who is much more effective in front of the home fans.
Wall is playing with a vengeance, and if the Celtics are going to hold serve on their home court Wednesday night, they’ve got to figure out a way to slow him down. Good luck with that.
