With the momentum from Game 1 on their side, the Boston Celtics were looking to go up 2-0 against the Washington Wizards, taking the series home D.C. with the upper hand.
The Wizards had other plans. Unfortunately, they all fell apart in the 4th quarter.
This game was real scrappy, as both teams played real physical and the injuries to both sides were apparent throughout the game. Otto Porter got a bloody nose. Isaiah Thomas hit his face on the floor. Markief Morris still had a hurt ankle from last game. John Wall hurt his wrist.
Both teams were battling and Washington had the lead for most of the first three quarters.
But you know how the Celtics and IT4 do when that last quarter hits. They kept fighting and crawled back to take the lead against the Wizards and TD Garden went absolutely bezerk. With about three minutes left, Washington went on an 8-0 run and silenced the crowd. But Thomas kept shooting, scoring and feeding. Enough that the Celtics tied the game again and took it to overtime.
Even though the Wizards had the last shot, both Wall and Bradley Beal missed their opportunity to seal the deal and tie the series with a make.
In overtime, it was all Boston and they never looked back.
Thomas scored a career playoff high 53 points and came through in the clutch for the Celtics when it counted the most: down the stretch. And he did it on what should have been his sister’s 23rd birthday.
Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder contributed with 14 points, while Al Horford had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the C’s. Not to mention Terry Rozier with 12 points off the bench and a very crucial three-pointer in the 4th quarter that tied the game.
The Wizards starters were all in double digits, but Wall carried the team. He had 40 points and 13 assists, while his partner in crime, Beal, only had 14 points on the night.
IT4 explains where he finds his motivation to play
The series now shifts to Washington D.C. on Thursday.
FINAL OT: BOS 129 | WAS 119