Story By: Richard Thomas
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
After losing the last two games in a row, the Wizards returned home tonight with hopes of finally shaking off the unbeatable Celtics, who seem to have their number over the past few seasons. Tonight, it took extra time to end this battle… one shot by Kyrie Irving and down go the Wizards.
Irving took it upon himself to battle with John Wall back and forth in the overtime period, but it was the one final three pointer that was the difference in the game. Part of his 12 points in the overtime period as well.
Marcus Morris added 27 points and nine rebounds for Boston, which played without Al Horford, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown, its No. 4-6 leading scorers.
”The hallmark of this group has been whoever’s available plays and is counted on to do what they’re supposed to,” Celtics Coach Brad Stevens said. ”Not everybody had their best night, but everybody did their jobs and kept adding value when they checked in. They played whatever role they were asked to and gave us a chance to win.”
This is one of the few games where the Wizards have had a will at the end and instead of folding, they came at the Celtics hard when it mattered, so much John Wall re-entered the game after taking a hard fall with Irving, just so he could give his team a shot of making it a game that went the Wizards way.
The Wizards led 123-122 when Irving made a 3 with 38.6 seconds to go. After Wall tied it at 125, Irving hit another shot from beyond the arc that gave Boston the lead for good, because Beal (22 points; zero in OT) and Wall then each missed a 3.
“We just aren’t going to give up, said Wall. ” We have a lot of games left to play and this team is going to give it everything we have.”
