Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Wizards suffer crushing loss to the Celtics in overtime

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 8: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting a three pointer as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards were a mere seconds away from victory when things fell apart. Suffering a crushing loss to the Boston Celtics in overtime, 110-104.

On Thursday, the Washington Wizards hosted the Boston Celtics. The last time these two teams met was Christmas Day. Although John Wall was playing injured at the time, he would go into turbo mode to help Washington secure the win, and it was quite the Christmas present.

There’s nothing sweeter than beating the Celtics in Boston.

However, there’s nothing more bitter than the sweet taste of victory, only to have it yanked it away in the final seconds of regulation. The Wizards would fall to the Celtics in overtime, 110-104.

The Wizards were without their fearless leader Wall, who’s recovering from knee surgery. However, the team competed throughout the four quarters, but bad habits reared their ugly head.

Closing out games still a problem

Washington was down ten points, 88-78, with 5:09 left in regulation. However, hats off the Wizards as they clawed their way back into the lead, including a Tomas Satoranky three-pointer over Kyrie Irving.

With 12.8 seconds left in regulation the Wizards were up 98-95. If anyone watched the Houston – Celtics matchup in Boston last December, you would know 12 seconds is really 12 minutes for Boston.

At one point Houston was up by 26 points. During the final minutes of the fourth quarter, I heard Celtics coach Stevens yell to his team to “only take singles”. Marcus Smart would draw two offensive fouls on James Harden that cost Houston the lead in the final 3.7 seconds.

Boston ended up winning, 99-98. The final seconds of that game was similar to the scoring for the Wizards’ matchup. The Wizards ended regulation knotted at 98-98.

In both instances, Boston kept their composure while their opponents made silly fouls.

While the Wizards were falling apart, Boston was coming together.

With Boston when it’s a close game they don’t fall apart, they start playing better.

The Celtics didn’t outplay the Wizards, they outsmarted them. With 12.8 seconds left and Otto Porter‘s free throws, Washington is now up 98-95 and Stevens calls a timeout.

At this point, you know that Irving is going to attempt a three and bait someone into fouling him. Irving did just that, throwing up a wild three that had no chance of going in and Markieff Morris was called for the foul.

Irving would make all three of his free throws to knot up the game, 98-98, sending it into overtime.

During Game 7 of the Boston series, Stevens yelled, don’t block any shots. He doesn’t want any unnecessary fouls. However, when the Celtics are down they will foul themselves into a win.

I couldn’t believe both Keef and Bradley Beal during overtime would fall for Irving’s okie-doke a second and third time. For Keef, he fouled Irving on a 3-point attempt, while Beal did so on a two. Of course Irving made all of those free throws.

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