Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: Washington Annihilated and Thoroughly Embarrassed the Celtics in Game 4

By Jen Julie Smith

May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard John Wall (2) leave the court after the game against the Boston Celtics 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) and guard John Wall (2) leave the court after the game against the Boston Celtics 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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May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the second 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; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the second quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Bradley Beal on Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas started the first 15 minutes of the game unconscious from the three-point line, hitting consecutive 5 three-point shots

But Bradley Beal was all over Thomas after that, and Thomas only got 4 more points for the entire game. He finished with 19 points and 6 turnovers.

Thomas recently proclaimed that he was “unguardable”. Beal let him know otherwise.

Beal is a great two-way guard, and was killing Thomas on both the offensive and defensive end.

He was perfect from the free-throw line, going 4 for 4, and 3 for 6 from deep.

Beal did a stellar job of guarding Thomas with such efficiency, that Thomas who routinely lives at the free throw line, didn’t see the charity stripe once in Game 4.

Thomas knows that the free-throw line is his bread and butter, and openly complained to the media after the game:

"“It does get a little frustrating when you continue to play the same way and nothing is being called. The calls should definitely be a little more even after a season when I might have been in the top five in free throws. I play the same way each and every night.”"

Thomas is right he does play the same way every night, but Beal isn’t here for his bull[ ].

Thomas couldn’t figure out how to play Beal on either side of the court.

After Beal hit a fadeaway jumper over Thomas, Beal instantly went right back into transition and started guarding Thomas once the ball went inbounds. That’s another weapon in the Wizards’ defensive arsenal; they’re guarding their man before they even reach over the time line.

Thomas took offense to Beal’s jumper, and while guarding him, bumped Beal.

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Beal just stared right back at IT with those baby brown eyes. But those eyes really said: “I’m from the Lou, you know how we do.” Thomas didn’t bump Beal again.

Credit to Beal for keeping his composure at that moment, Thomas seeing that Beal was on fire, tried to take him out of the game mentally by goading him into pushing back. But Baby Face Beal brushed it off and stayed on Thomas throughout the entire game.

Beal essentially told Thomas you’re not going to play those reindeer games with me, and he didn’t fall for Thomas’ pump fakes, or jumping into his defender, or flopping.

Beal had a complete game, thoroughly dominating Thomas, and led all scorers with 29 points, and 4 rebounds.

Beal scorched the King of the Fourth, and mere minutes into the fourth IT sat on his throne, I mean bench. I asked the following question, and Christy Winters-Scott of CSN Mid-Atlantic responded:

https://twitter.com/ChristyWScott51/status/861380991377707008

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