Boston Celtics: Takeaways from Victory over Wizards
By Andrew Fine
Nov 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates against the Washington Wizards during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics snapped their three game losing streak against the Washington Wizards, one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics (2-3) blew out the Wizards (3-2) 118-98 Friday evening at the TD Garden.
For the second straight game the Celtics were without second-year point guard Marcus Smart, who sat out with a toe injury. Though without their pesky starting point guard, the Celtics were able to keep Washington’s backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal contained.
Wall shot only 6/17 from the field, turned the ball over a shocking eight times, and got himself into early foul trouble early in the first quarter. Beal, his backcourt partner, did most of the damage for the Wizards. He scored a game-high 24 points on 9/15 shooting, which included 3/4 shooting from behind the arc.
Five Celtics players scored in double figures for team, who were ahead by as many as 30 points. Jared Sullinger led the Celts with 21 points (11 of which came in the first quarter) and made a significant impact with his shooting an ability as well as his knack for finding rebounds.
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For a team that has struggled with shooting and turnovers early this season, the Celtics were able to stay in the game even though they mimicked Washington’s up-tempo offense. The Wizards played fast, but struggled to hold onto the ball. Boston had 18 steals as a team and forced 24 turnovers by the Wizards.
Alas, the Celtics pulled through in a game that many fans were willing to concede as a loss before the contest even started.
Here are three takeaways from Boston’s victory over the Wizards.
Next: Takeaway #1