Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
After controlling Game 3 at home, the Wizards knew that Game 4 wasn’t going to be any easier, but the result was the same for the Wizards, another solid blow out win, 121-102 behind a late third quarter dominance by Wall and Beal.
Even with Wall starting the game 0-9, the Wizards used the 26-0 to put the Celtics to bed early.
Washington never led by 50, but after trailing 53-48 early in the third it was 74-53 by the time Porter made a layup with 5 minutes left in the quarter. Wall had seven of his 27 points and three of his 12 assists during the run as the Celtics committed eight turnovers — including back-to-back shot-clock violations — and went 0 for 5.
After the game Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks said that his team just never wanted to give up and they got done what they needed to on their home court, crediting defense for making it all happen.
“It is our defense,” said Beal, who had a game-high 29 points. “That’s why we’re able to get out in transition and get open shots, get open layups. We were just having fun.”
For the Celtics, this was the second straight game where Isaiah Thomas was unable to find his game and tonight after the game he commented on not getting to the line for the amount of contact they had on him tonight.
“It’s got to be called differently,” Thomas said. “I can’t be allowed to be held and grabbed every pin-down, every screen and I don’t even shoot one free throw.”
From Boston’s perspective it wasn’t pretty, even as coach Brad Stevens credited the Wizards, who have 26-0, 22-0 and 16-0 runs in this series.
“If you turn the ball over against these guys, you’d prefer to drop kick it into the stands so that at least you can set your defense,” Stevens said. “Their attack in transition killed us.”
