Physical series returns to Boston
After four games, the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the Celtics and Wizards is exactly back where it began.
Following back-to-back comeback wins by the East’s top seed in the first two games in Boston, Washington returned the favor with two dominant wins on its homecourt. The series now shifts back to TD Garden for a Game 5 matchup Wednesday night.
The winner of Game 5 in an NBA best-of-seven series tied at 2-2 has won the series 83 percent of the time (162-34), according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Though happy to return to friendlier confines, the Celtics say they aren’t feeling any added pressure despite being unable to recover from gamechanging runs by the Wizards in Games 3 and 4.
“That’s the playoffs for you,” Boston point guard Isaiah Thomas said. “We said it before the playoffs started, you lose a couple and you might get swept. I mean, that’s what the world is gonna say. ‘You’re not good enough to be here,’ or you win a couple and everybody loves you.”
Meanwhile, Washington might have found the answer to containing Boston’s leading scorer: making the game as physical as possible.
Thomas has managed just 13 and 19 points, respectively, over the past two games, while being held to 22 field-goal attempts. That comes after his 53-point night in Game 2’s overtime win.
Despite having to win at least one game at the Garden over the next three games to advance, Washington point guard John Wall said the Wizards’ confidence is higher than it was at the start of the series.
“We have a lot of confidence, understanding that we had a chance to win all four games,” said Wall, who is coming off a 27-point, 12-assist effort in Game 4. “Even though we only won two, and they won two at their place, we had an opportunity to win those games even though we didn’t shoot the ball well or we didn’t play great defense.”
Washington forward Kelly Oubre Jr. can expect to get a cold reception from Boston’s fans. Oubre returns to action after serving a one-game suspension for charging over Boston center Kelly Olynyk in Game 3.
Washington head coach Scott Brooks was asked Tuesday about what advice he had for Oubre. “Bring some earplugs,” he said after a long pause. “They’re definitely going to let him have it. But you just go out there and play, play hard.”
Boston guard Avery Bradley suffered a left hip pointer in Game 4 after being slowed by a right hip pointer in Game 2. Stevens said Bradley is set to go for Game 5.