With series tied at three wins apiece, the Boston Celtics faced the Washington Wizards in a deciding Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup. It was a sellout crowd of 18,600 fans at TD Garden in downtown Boston that came to see the biggest game of the season for these two teams.
After each team won their three home games of the series, it all came down to one last matchup in a "win or go home" situation. Both teams were at full strength without injuries, and we were in for a classic Game 7. Coming into Monday's matchup
Coming into Monday's matchup the Celtics had won eight straight home games against Washington and they didn't want to end that streak at this point of the season.
Washington, on the other hand, was looking for their first conference finals appearance since 1979.
Kelly Olynyk the improbable hero for the Celtics
It was a back-and-forth game in the first quarter as both teams managed to score early on. Midway through the period, the score was tied at 17-17 and after the first 12 minutes of playing time, Boston held a 27-23 lead. They increased their lead up to six points midway through the second quarter (42-36) but Washington rallied back and took a 55-53 lead at halftime.
The Wizards led by as many as 6 points in that third quarter (70-64) but the Celtics answered back and tied the game at 76-76 late in the period. They closed out the third quarter on a 9-3 run and had an 85-79 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Boston opened up the fourth period with a 9-2 burst and pulled away in this game.
Kelly Olynyk scored 14 of Boston's 30 points in the fourth quarter as they ended up winning the game easily 115-105. The Celtics finished the game with 27 assists and just eight turnovers while forcing the Wizards into 15 turnovers. Washington had the rebounding advantage in this one (43-31) and shot 45% from the field but it wasn't enough.
Thomas leads the Celtics with 29 points
Boston had five players scoring at least 13 points on Monday night. Isaiah Thomas led the way with 29 points and also added 12 assists. Kelly Olynyk contributed with 26 points off the bench as he became the first Celtics reserve to score 25-plus points in a playoff game since Eddie House scored 31 in 2009.
Al Horford scored 15 while Jae Crowder added 14 points for Boston.
In the final game of the season for the Washington Wizards, it was Bradley Beal who carried them on the offensive end. He led all scorers in Game 7 with 38 points on 12-for-22 shooting. Otto Porter Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds while Markieff Morris scored 18 and pulled down nine rebounds. John Wall had a tough night shooting the ball as he went 8-for-23 from the floor and finished the game with 18 points and 11 assists.
Boston advances to the conference finals for the first time since 2012 to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 of that series will be played on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
