Boston Celtics deliver on Mike Gorman Day, Boston beat Washington Wizards 132-120

Sunday was the ultimate recreation of the common season, with the Boston Celtics beating the Washington Wizards 132-120. It was at all times going to be an attention-grabbing recreation, with each groups having a number of starters for recreation 82. Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones, and Kyle Kuzma had been among the many notable Wizards gamers not lively. Boston went with the identical lineup that gained towards the Hornets, with their huge six all lacking.

After a 31-point and 11-assist efficiency towards the Charlotte Hornets, Payton Pritchard adopted it up with a brand new career-high 38 factors whereas shelling out 12 assists and grabbing 9 rebounds.

The Celtics and Svi Mykhailiuk received out to a powerful begin. Mykhailiuk began the sport 5-for-5 with 12 factors together with an alley-oop poster to assist in giving the Celtics a 17-12 lead with 6:30 left within the first quarter. Mykhailiuk tied his profession excessive with 26.

When Xavier Tillman checked into the sport, he went straight to work scoring 9 factors in six minutes, together with an and-1 with beneath two seconds left within the quarter. He left the sport after showing to tweak his ankle and didn’t return to the courtroom.

Regardless of sturdy performances from the crew, the Wizards solely trailed Boston by 4 (34-30) due to a buzzer-beating three from Jared Butler to finish the quarter.

Along with it being the final recreation of the season, it was additionally Mike Gorman Day. Between the primary and second quarter, the Celtics aired a video tribute to legendary announcer Mike Gorman who referred to as his closing common season recreation.

The Wizards got here out sturdy to start out the second half, happening a 9-1 run that resulted in Joe Mazzulla calling a timeout. The Celtics responded with a 12-2 run of their very own to retake a six-point lead 47-41.

When he checked in, Neemias Queta had a huge impact. Along with scoring 9 factors in 9 minutes, Queta additionally registered 4 blocks.

Payton Pritchard received into the fold late into the quarter, scoring Boston’s final 14 factors, which included 4 three-pointers to offer Boston a 10-point lead on the break 69-59.

The Celtics shot 59.1% from the ground by two quarters and shot 50% from deep, whereas the Wizards shot 45.1% from the sector and 26.3% from deep.

At halftime, Mike Gorman took heart stage for a farewell to the followers and the Celtics group. He did have a message for the crew, “Go win this factor.”

After a 14-point explosion to shut the second quarter, Payton Pritchard confirmed what else he had in his bag attending to the rim after a handful of strikes.

The ball motion proven from the “keep prepared” group was on full show. The Wizards couldn’t preserve Boston in entrance of them, giving the C’s open pictures and layups. After two free throws from Luke Kornet, Boston led by 19 (90-71) with 5:18 left within the third.

Pritchard secured his new profession excessive, 32 factors late within the quarter to assist Boston prolong its result in 18 (107-89) after three.

The fourth quarter was routine for Boston as they continued to play nicely on offense and contest each shot on the rim on protection.

Queta even confirmed his improved vary from deep nailing a nook three to increase the result in 20 (120-100). Queta completed the sport with a career-high 19 factors whereas grabbing 9 boards and 6 blocks.

Boston completed the sport taking pictures an environment friendly 58% from the ground and 50% (16-for-32) from three.

Now the Celtics wait till the Play-In video games are completed to see who they host within the first spherical.