Eastern Conference Semis - Game 4

Celtics 123

Wizards 101

May 10, 2017 - TD Garden, Boston, MA

A dismal opening quarter set the tone for the Wizards.

Before we get into any breakdowns or offer any excuses as to why the Wizards got trashed by 22 points, we need to admit one thing: they played like dog shit and were plainly too uninspired to be of any competition for the Celtics last night.

Oddly, the Wizards didn't foreshadow any of this on their first few possessions. Wall broke ice rattling in his first jumper, before Keef sized up Avery Bradley in the post for an 8-footer on the next possession. Up 4-0, the Wizards seemed poised, at least enough to be watchable.

Yeah, no. The Celtics slammed Washington with a 16-0 run, setting a dismal tone for their visitors and stripping them of any confidence. Two glaring first quarter stats: the Wizards shot just 34% from the field, while the Celtics ran off 15 fast break points (Washington had zero). A 20-8 deficit drained the Wizards early, and any adjustments thereafter wasn't enough to provide a stopper.

Al and Avery: Boston's Finest.

One theory for Bradley's monster first half is to say he was simply hot and the Wizards had no answer for him. It wouldn't be an invalid theory, as Bradley's hot performance in the first 24 minutes was the effect of Boston's suffocating defense and Washington's inability to keep an eye on leakers in transition. Five of Bradley's points in the first quarter came via leak-outs off Boston stops, part of the overall meltdown the Wizards faced against Boston's 1st quarter dominance on the fast break. Bradley simply took advantage of what the Wizards defense gave him. He lost his defenders on the perimeter and knocked down open 3's because they decided to provide help defense - an ongoing issue with the Wizards defense in this series. He exploited a mismatch against Marcin Gortat (didn't beat him up though). He caught Wall snoozing on a backdoor cut. Bradley ended the first half with 25 points. He had 29 on the night.

Horford was by all means on a mission last night, shooting 8-for-9 from the field including three 3's for 19 points. He also grabbed 6 rebounds and had 7 assists. A strong trait of Horford is that he practically becomes a guard in Celtics half-court sets. A man his size who has range and mobility becomes a nightmare for defenses and the Wizards certainly had one last night. He hit them with everything. He fearlessly squared up against Keef Morris, putting his body into him for a basket. He dribbled around screens like a 2-guard and hit open midrange jumpers. He dribble-drove to the basket. He hit open 3's. The Wizards need to find a way to counter this menace.

No magical run for the Wizards.

The Wizards gave us the runs with their awful performance but couldn't continue their pattern of runs on the floor last night. After pillaging Boston with runs of 16-0, 14-0, 22-0, and 26-0 respectively in Games 1 through 4, the Wizards found no similar success in such activity in Game 5. They certainly hinted at making a run a few times, but could only trim the deficit to as little as 13. Boston furiously countered any Washington basket with one of their own. If the Wizards scored 5 straight points, the Celtics would respond with 6 straight. That's pretty deflating and the reason why the Wizards came off so lazy and dispirited on so many possessions.

Reaffirmed: Boston fans are the worst.

I mostly like Boston. I like that it's a historic and cultured city. I like their Northeastern accents. The food is always great. But I couldn't give a shit about any of their sports teams, and after what's transpired at Boston sporting events this past week their fans can eat shit, too.

Just when we were all getting over the story of Adam Jones having n-bombs dropped on him at Fenway, Bostonians struck again last night, chanting "Fuck You Oubre" late in the 3rd quarter. Clearly, antics like this prove Bostonians won't ever change. How many kids at sporting events this week had "fuck you" or the n-word blaring into their virgin ears? Sure, cussing is a norm at sporting events, but chanting it in congregation? That's how being shitty is normalized in places.

So, stay classless, Boston.

The #DCSports Curse remains strong.

After all the hype and hoopla over three DC teams playing in games with larger than life stakes, #DCSports reacted accordingly.

The Caps got shut out at home in a series-deciding Game 7 against their sworn enemies from Pittsburgh. The Wizards decided to check in to their flight back home from Boston just minutes into the 1st quarter. Oh! But the Nationals won in their 31st of 162 regular season games! YASS. It's almost as if you kind of wish DC teams just continued sucking. That way your expectations remain low and you're not reminded that a curse exists. Alas, while Caps go ice fishing the Wizards haven't struck out just yet. Game 6 is on Friday.