In Game 5, we saw the Boston Celtics overpower the Washington Wizards with a blowout win in TD Garden. Game 6 was a whole different story, as the Wizards came out with a different edge to themselves tonight, perhaps fueled by the Celtics showing up to the game in funeral-themed all black clothing. Washington, led by their dynamic backcourt combo of John Wall and Bradley Beal, were able to force a Game 7 with a 92-91 win thanks to the late game heroics of their all-star point guard.
The game got off to a slow start with both offenses sputtering early. Despite struggling for much of these series and this postseason in general, Bradley Beal came out aggressive early and often for the Wizards, finishing with 33 points on 15-26 shooting from the field.
For Boston, their offense couldn’t get anything going. Guard Isaiah Thomas was largely ineffective in the pick and roll and his slow start resulted in Boston going the final half of the first quarter without a field goal. Even though he only converted on one of his first nine shots in the first half, that didn’t stop John Wall from showing off his jaw-dropping athleticism in the open floor late in the first period.
John Wall is just a blur on the fast break #DCfamily
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/F88eUwVJxy— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 13, 2017
Bojan Bogdanovic who was battling the flu coming into tonight came in and contributed some early points, propelling the Wizards to a 22-17 lead at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw the all-star point guards continue to struggle but in the meantime, the others picked up the slack. Beal kept his foot on the pedal all game and for Boston, Avery Bradley carried over his stellar play from Game 5 in which he dropped 29 points. With Boston’s bench a huge non-factor in this one, the Wizards were able to stretch their lead out to double digits but to no avail. The Celtics roared back with a strong 12-1 run to cap the first half and take a one-point edge into the break.
Boston’s improved play continued into the third quarter where it looked like Boston was ready to put this game away and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals. While the Wizards threw up brick after brick from three-point range, C’s big man Al Horford continued his torrid pace from behind the arc, nailing a couple deep jumpers. Instead of the Celtics blowing this game wide open, this resilient Wizards team, led by a 13-point quarter from John Wall after a putrid first half, was able to weather the storm and keep the lead down to one possession, closing the third quarter with a score of 69-66.
#Wallstar ???#DCFamily
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/9bHoDzlXWs— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 13, 2017
The fourth quarter was when we began to see real playoff basketball from these two teams. The desperation on Washington’s end began to shine through as they kicked it up a notch and played with more urgency. The impact Markieff Morris has inside on both sides of the ball became evident as his rebounding played a huge factor in the outcome of this contest.
Beal also heated up and was able to keep Washington in the game for much of the quarter but things looked bleak when the Celtics took an 87-82 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the contest thanks to the typical late-game barrage from Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas heating up late for the #Celtics!
Scores back to back buckets to put his team up 5 pic.twitter.com/rUfWzt0ucI
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 13, 2017
However, Wall and the Wiz refused to go down, as the superstar buried a cold-blooded triple to seal the Game 6 victory and save the season for Washington.
JOHN FREAKING WALL WITH THE GAME WINNING TRIPLE #DCFamily
(Via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/Pizb9y2Sho— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 13, 2017
Wall wasn’t done creating headlines with the game-winning shot though, as he called out Boston for their funeral attire during his postgame interview, adding extra headlines to Game 7.
"I ain't going home…don't come to my city wearing all back taking about it's a funeral" – John Wall#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/t49Y2i9Te5
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 13, 2017
The Kentucky product finished with 26 points and 8 assists while Morris added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. For Boston, Thomas and Bradley each finished with 27 points and Horford chipped in 20. After a nail-biter in Game 6, it all comes down to a Game 7 between two bitter rivals who’s animosity towards each other has only grown this series. In a series where the home team has come out the victor each time, Game 7 will take place in Boston at 8:00 PM on Monday.
