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Key Moment
Boston forced the Wizards into a miss on their opening possession Wednesday night.
The problem is, Boston didn’t finish off the possession, and that was just a sign of things to come.
Washington’s Marcin Gortat tracked Bradley Beal’s missed jumper and tipped in an easy offensive rebound for two points. The score was 2-0 at that point in favor of the Wizards, and it became much, much worse for Boston before the final buzzer sounded on its 118-93 defeat.
The Celtics couldn’t score or finish off possessions at a consistent rate during the remainder of the first period. The team scored only eight points during the frame while allowing Washington to pile up 13 second-chance points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting on such opportunities.
At one point, Washington led by as many as 26 points during the opening quarter. And that lead crushed Boston’s spirit.
The Celtics were never able to string together a game-changing run the rest of the night. Marcus Smart did his best to power a second-half comeback, scoring 18 points during the third quarter alone, but the C’s never cut Washington’s lead down to fewer than 15 points.
It all started with that tip-in by Gortat, just 43 seconds into the game. That putback set the tone for the entire night, with Washington running circles around the visiting C’s.
Key Player
Otto Porter has had some solid nights during his three-plus seasons in the NBA. But he had never had one like he did Wednesday night against Boston.
Porter was outstanding in all facets of the game while leading his team to an impressive 118-93 win at the Verizon Center. He set a new career high in the scoring column by tallying 34 points. He tied his career high by grabbing 14 rebounds, and tied his career high with three blocked shots. To top it off, he also happened to pitch in four assists and three steals.
What a night it was for the 23-year-old swingman, who made the basket look as large as the ocean. He was incredibly efficient, making 14 of his 19 field goal attempts and three of his five shots from long distance. He made all three of his free throws.
This was a performance the previously 1-5 Wizards needed, and one that Porter will never forget.
Box Score Nuggets
- Boston lost by 25 points despite the fact that three of their players (Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart) each scored 20 or more points.
- Kelly Olynyk played 26 minutes during his first contest of the season.
- Boston scored only eight points during the first quarter.
- Otto Porter led all players in points (34) and rebounds (14). That was a new career high in scoring and a match of his career high in rebounding
- Smart came off of Boston's bench to score 20 points.
- Washington outscored Boston 33-10 in second-chance points.
- The Wizards never trailed and led by as many as 27 points.
- John Wall was ejected from the game for committing a Flagrant 2 foul against Smart.
- Thomas logged a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists.
- Washington outrebounded Boston by a count of 54-31.
- Both teams made 10 3-pointers, but the Wizards needed 10 fewer attempts (21) than the C's (31).
- Thomas and Olynyk tied for the C's team high in rebounding with six boards apiece.
- Washington shot exactly 50 percent from the field (46-of-92).
- Smart was the only Boston reserve who scored more than three points.
- Trey Burke (18 points) and Marcus Thornton (16 points) led Washington's bench in scoring.
- Thomas shot 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, while the rest of the Celtics shot 3-for-12.
Quote of the Night
Isaiah Thomas on his team's effort level.