The Boston Celtics had no answer for John Wall. The Washington Wizards point guard returned to action after missing the previous game with a heel injury. Wall did not disappoint, as he scored 19 of his team-high 34 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. And yet, the Wizards still found a way to lose, 130-125 to the Celtics.
Kyrie Irving, who scored a game-high 38 points, outdueled Wall with two incredible three-point shots in the final minute of overtime — both over the stretching hands of Wall.
The two rivals put on a show in the final minutes of the game, but Irving could get enough of a view to drain a three off the wing despite Wall being draped all over him to put the Celtics ahead 125-123 38.6 seconds remaining. Wall answered right back with a driving layup with 30.7 seconds remaining to tie the game.
Unfortunately, Irving would have the final say, as he drained a 31-foot three from the top as Wall again tightly contested the shot.
Both Wall and Bradley Beal missed on potentially game-tying threes before loose ball went out of bounds, ending all hope for a Wizards’ win. As a result, the Wizards are now 11-17 while the Celtics improve to 17-10 with their seventh straight win.
1. John Wall Was the Best Player on the Floor
The outcome was unfortunate considering Wall could not be stopped. He shot an incredible 9-of-12 in the final 11 minutes of the game. Whether it was off a switch, perimeter player, or big, Wall attacked with ease and finished at the rim with precision.
Boston’s defense shielded against Wall’s kick outs, and they ran and chased Beal off the screens and slips. Wall responded by making some highly IQ decisions with the ball, scoring at ease.
He also dished out a game-high 13 assists, seven coming in the second half and overtime. He was four rebounds shy of a triple-double. Anytime the Wizards needed a score, the ball went to Wall and he got it. Not even a rolled ankle in overtime could slow down Wall.
Wall made a season-high 14 field goals on a season-high 26 shots. He was smart with basketball and understood the situation. He played to his strengths, even when Boston scored on big plays, he didn’t settle instead attacking the lane. He deserved a better outcome with how good he played. And as the headlines will talk about Irving’s shots, lost will be Wall was the best player on the floor.
2. Wizards Crushed on Offensive Boards, Second-chance Points
Irving’s shots were the highlights, but the Wizards left the win on the boards, as they were hammered on the glass, allowing 14 offensive rebounds and 24 second-chance points for Boston. And it’s a shame as the Wizards had one of their better defensive games on the perimeter, holding the Celtics to 11-of-38 shooting from three.
Unfortunately, whenever the Wizards appeared to make a stop, it was negated by an offensive rebound and basket for the Celtics. In a closely-contested game, allowing 24 second-chance points will ultimately be backbreaking.
The Wizard have struggled all season defensively, so when they make stops, especially on the perimeter they need to be rewarded not seeing their efforts go to waste with the bigs being mopped on the glass.
3. Wizards Missed Free Throws while Boston Was Perfect from the Charity Stripe
The free throw line was another killer for the Wizards. As they missed on eight free throws, going 21-of-29 at the charity stripe, the Celtics countered going a perfect 25-of-25 from the line.
It’s rare a team will make a perfect 25 free throws. Only 13 teams have done so in NBA history, although this is the fifth time Boston has done. However, Washington cannot continue to miss free throws, especially when it matters. In a five-point game, three when the game was still a toss-up, eight missed free throws ultimately hurt.
As the Wizards got one of the best game’s of the season out of its cornerstone player, and it’s defense found success defending the three, it’s inability to clean up the boards and make free throws prevented them from pulling off a win against their rivals, the Celtics.
