It was less than two weeks ago when all the talk in the NBA was how Brad Stevens, despite excellent regular season credentials, just didn't get the job done in the NBA playoffs. The Boston Celtics had started the post-season 0-2 behind two home losses to the Chicago Bulls that threatened to end the No. 1 seed's playoff aspirations quickly.
Those results, plus results from previous seasons, had Stevens' playoff record at 2-10 after the first two games of the current playoffs.
However, the coach of the Boston Celtics has silenced his critics thus far as he is 8-10 now in the playoffs following six straight wins over both Chicago and the Washington Wizards.
Game two vs. Washington is finalized
Boston's most recent win came on Tuesday evening in the 2nd game of the second-round series. Playing from Boston, the Celtics fell behind by 13 at the end of the first quarter. It was a long battle back after that, one that Isaiah Thomas played a huge role in.
The point guard set a new playoff career high with an incredible 53 points to lead all scorers. Al Horford had 12 rebounds for the Celtics to help out as well as Washington lost both Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris to foul-outs in the overtime session.
The result of the game was an entertaining 129-119 win for Boston. They may yet make the conference finals as they currently hold a 2-0 lead over Washington.
'Clutch' players miss game winners
The Wizards will certainly be counting missed opportunities as they head back home to prepare for game three. With the game tied at the end of regulation, they had possession with just over 14 seconds remaining. John Wall made his move with a handful of seconds left on the left perimeter.
He attempted a step-back jumper with three seconds to go, a shot that was destined to miss. Bradley Beal was able to locate the rebound and get up what appeared to be a wide-open shot. However, his shot too missed one that would have ended the game ahead of regulation (time expired while the ball was in the air).
This series will now move to Washington and the Wizards certainly have something to recover from mentally. Both of their star players failed to execute in the clutch and they now have to work for 48 minutes just to get back to an opportunity to win their first game of the series. It certainly doesn't look good, especially against the conference's top seed whose coach has an ever-improving playoff record. Game three in the series is scheduled for Thursday from the Verizon Center with an 8 pm ET start time.