Celtics rout Wizards to take lead
Washington, May 11: The Boston Celtics continued their home court mastery over Washington, taking charge early and going on to beat the Wizards 123-101 on Wednesday to grab a 3-2 lead in the second round series.
Avery Bradley tallied a postseason career high 29 points in the blowout as Boston can now advance to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round with a victory on Friday in Washington.
“Everyone was prepared,” said Bradley. “And that’s what it’s all about.”
The Celtics and Wizards have played nine times this year, and the home team has won all nine games. Boston has now won eight straight overall at the Boston Garden over Washington.
The Celtics got on an early 16-0 run and never looked back. Their first quarter burst came after the Wizards scored the first four points of the game.
Bradley, who is playing with a sore hip, scored 25 points in the first half as the Celtics compiled a 22point halftime lead.
Bradley hit his last basket with 5:55 left in the third quarter and rested in the fourth.
Al Horford finished with 19 points and added seven assists and six rebounds for Boston.
Thomas and Jae Crowder both scored 18, Thomas with nine assists and Crowder with eight rebounds. Thomas scored eight consecutive points in the fourth with Bradley on the bench.
The Celtics went 16-for-33 from beyond the arc and became the sixth team in NBA history with at least 10 three pointers in straight postseason.
John Wall led the Wizards with 21 points, and Bradley Beal had 16 and Otto Porter added 13.
The Wizard guards combined to go just 14 of 36 from the floor, two of seven from three-point range. six