Game 4 of the second-round playoff series between the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics was scheduled for Sunday. With Boston leading the series 2-1, Washington wanted to protect their home court and even the series at two wins apiece. Entering Sunday's game, the Wizards had won four straight home games this postseason and three games at home against the Celtics. They were playing without
They were playing without Kelly Oubre in Game 4 as he was suspended due to charge and shove on Kelly Olynyk in Game 3. Amir Johnson was back in the starting lineup for the Celtics after coming off the bench in Games 1 and 3.
It was a fully packed Verizon Center in Washington with more than 20,000 energetic and hyped Wizards fans who made sure their team got the much-needed support.
Big third quarter by the Wizards lifts them to a blowout victory
Washington started off the game better as they opened up the first quarter with an 8-0 run. Boston responded with a 12-2 run of their own and held a 24-20 lead after the first 12 minutes of the game. Both teams managed to score in the second quarter as they traded baskets and went back-and-forth.
The score was tied at 48-48 at halftime. Washington would go on a 26-0 run over five minutes and 59 seconds stretch in the third quarter as they outscored Boston 42-20 in the third period.
Washington shot 65.0%, made all 12 of their free throws, and held
Washington shot 65.0%, made all 12 of their free throws, and held the Celtics to 31.3% shooting in the quarter overall. Heading into the final period of the game the Wizards had a 20-point lead at 88-68. They ended up winning the game easily 121-102 as they outrebounded Boston 45-31 in this one.
The Wizards shot 52.4 percent from the field and connected on 9 of their 21 three-point attempts. Scott Brooks' squad was 24-for-27 from the free-throw line and they forced the Celtics into 20 turnovers.
Bradley Beal with a great performance
Five different players scored at least 13 points for Washington in Game 4. Bradley Beal led all scorers as he finished with 29 points.
He was efficient 11-for-16 from the field and added four rebounds as well. John Wall didn't have a great night shooting the ball (8-25), but he managed to score 27 points and dish out 12 assists. Wall has 20-plus points and seven-plus assists in 10 consecutive playoff games, the most in a single postseason in NBA history. Bojan Bogdanovic added 13 points off the bench for the Wizards.
Isaiah Thomas led Boston in scoring with 19 points and five assists on Sunday. It was the first time in Thomas' playoff career that he has fallen short of 20 points in consecutive games. Al Horford added 11 points and five rebounds while Kelly Olynyk contributed with 14 points off the bench for Boston.
The series is now tied at 2-2 with Game 5 to be played on Wednesday in Boston. The winner of this series will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
