Game 2 of an exciting second-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards was played on Tuesday night. Two days after they celebrated a comeback win in Game 1, the Celtics hosted the Wizards in a fully packed TD Garden in Boston in front of a crowd of 18,000 fans. It was a hyped and energized crowd that included New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and actor David Spade among others. Prior to Tuesday's matchup, Boston had won six straight home games against Washington and they wanted to extend that streak and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Great first quarter by the Wizards and their point guard John Wall
After opening Game 1 with a 16-0 start, the Wizards showed pretty much the same approach in Game 2. Midway through the first quarter they already had a double-digit lead at 26-16 and showed no signs of slowing down. The score was 42-29 for the away team after the first 12 minutes of the game. John Wall scored 19 points and dished out six assists for Washington in that first quarter. Wall’s 19 first-quarter points matched a career playoff high. Boston rallied back and took a 59-58 late in the second period, but at halftime Washington was up 67-64. isaiah thomas had 20 first-half points for the Celtics. It was a closely contested third quarter as Boston managed to stay within reach even though they had a 12-point deficit (83-71) midway through the third.
Going into the fourth quarter, Washington held a 89-84 lead. Isaiah Thomas took over in the 4th. He scored 20 points in the final 12 minutes of a game that finished 114-114 in regulation and went to overtime. Thomas shined in overtime as well, scoring nine of his team's 15 points and Boston ended up with a 129-119 victory. Brad Stevens' team shot 51.1% from the field and forced the Wizards into 18 turnovers.
Washington was just 10-for-34 (29%) from the three-point line in Game 2.
Playoff career-high for Thomas
Boston had five different players finish in double-digit scoring on Tuesday night. Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with a new playoff career-high 53 points. He was 18-for-33 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free-throw line.
The 53 points were the most in an NBA playoff game since Allen Iverson scored 55 in 2003. Thomas was just one point shy of John Havlicek's franchise playoff record of 54 points. Al Horford added 15 points and 12 rebounds while Jae Crowder scored 14 points for Boston.
John Wall was the leader again for Washington. He finished with 40 points and 13 assists, but he scored just five points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and missed a potential game-winner. Bradley Beal struggled for the Wizards, finishing with just 14 points on 4-for-15 shooting.
Boston now holds a 2-0 series lead with Games 3 and 4 to be played in Washington on Thursday and Sunday.
