Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards Use Huge Third Quarter to Claim Game 4, Even Up Series

By Ryan Eugene

May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives between Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and forward Jae Crowder (99) during the fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives between Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and forward Jae Crowder (99) during the fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards used a 26-0 run in the third quarter to break a close back and forth affair open.  The win tied the series at 2-2 as Washington heads back to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Washington used a different, yet similar formula to win Game 4.  In the first three games, the Wizards held a double-digit lead going into the second quarter. On Sunday, the Wizards trailed 24-20 entering the second quarter.  Washington helped Boston out by committing uncharacteristic early turnovers.  The Wiz did shoot a decent percentage, but John Wall missed all his attempts in the first quarter.

On the other side, Isaiah Thomas came out firing.  He ended up making his first five three point attempts, as Boston took a 40-28 lead.  After a timely Scott Brooks timeout, Washington responded. Wall got out of his shooting funk and the team stopped its string of turnovers.

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With the starters back in, we began to see the Wizards team that showed up in Game 3.

Wall started to heat up late in the second quarter and converted a beautiful assist to Gortat

Ball movement, forced turnovers and fastbreak points led to the team tying the game up 48-48 at halftime.

Third Quarter

Apparently the third quarter is now the first quarter.  After 5 quick points from Amir Johnson, Washington responded by scoring 26 straight. I was certain the 22-0 run from Game 3 would be the biggest run we’d see this series, but the Wizards had other plans.

The stretch, which lasted over five minutes, took the team from down five to up 21, 74-53.  In whole, Washington scored 42 points in the third quarter, making the fourth quarter once again meaningless.

Again it seems some of the best defense for Isaiah Thomas is blowing out the team so that he doesn’t have much time to play in the fourth quarter. Another Wizards blowout also mean’t more garbage time minutes for Celtics guard Gerald Green.

Three Wizards players scored in double figures in the third quarter as Washington outscored Boston 42-20.  The offensive and defensive execution was excellent, and had to make Scott Brooks proud of how the team responded in a game they trailed for most of the first half.

Thomas, who had the hot start with 15 points on five threes, finished the game with only 19 points. Washington must have watched film at halftime of how they contained Thomas in Game 3.

One key to the game was the rebounding margin.  Washington out rebounded Boston 45-31. Going into the playoffs the Celtics biggest weakness was lack of rebounding. Their leading rebounder during the regular season was Al Horford with only 6.8. As a team they averaged 42 rebounds per game, 4th worst in the league.

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The Wizards rebounding advantage helped push the fast break and led second chance points.  The third shot during the 26-0 run was a three pointer by Bradley Beal off a Markieff Morris offensive rebound.

Washington’s stars led the way in Game 4, combining for 56 points. Wall, after missing his first nine shots, finished the game making eight of his next 16 shots, finishing with 29 points.

Bradley Beal had his best game of the series, scoring 27 points on 11-16 shooting.  Beal also had three 3’s and key defense against Avery Bradley, who had only 5 points.

The Wizards have to be feeling very confident heading into Game 5.  Their starters lead all postseason teams in +/-, and have dominated the Celtics for the majority of the minutes.

If a few things go differently in Game 2 in Boston, Washington could be up 3-1.

Still the Celtics will be confident knowing that they still have homecourt advantage.

Looking at the regular season and postseason, the home team is 8-0 in this matchup.  The Wizards have a huge opportunity to take control of the series on Wednesday night. They have to “steal” one game in Boston, and would clearly rather win game 5.

Next: Wizards: How They Contained Isaiah Thomas in Game 3

A win in Game 5 would set up a series clinching opportunity Friday night in Game 6. Still the coaches and players know they have to take care of business next time out, as they let two winnable games slip away last trip to Beantown.

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