Wizards outlast Celtics in double OT, 125-124

The Washington Wizards overcame an early deficit to pull out a 125-124 win over the Boston Celtics in double overtime.

Down by as many as 20 points in the first half, the Washington Wizards showed determination and took care of an undermanned Celtics group,125-124 on Wednesday.

Boston played without three starters including their two All-Stars, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. They hadn’t played since Sunday and had the demeanor of a team that was fresh and loose.

Meanwhile, Washington was coming off a tough loss to the Timberwolves in D.C. the night before and came out flat. All five Celtics scored by the end of the opening quarter, and the Wizards trailed 37-23.

Washington would wake up, however, and outscore Boston 58-43 the next two quarters.

Once both teams were warmed up, the competition level was at a premium by the end of the fourth. Bradley Beal (game-high 34 points) cut the Celtics lead to one after a driving layup. The Celtics would answer and lead 106-103 with just a few ticks left. Wizards guard Jodie Meeks caught a pass and drained a game-tying three to force overtime.

In overtime, with 10.4 seconds, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (19 points) overthrew Marcus Morris (31 points and nine rebounds) on the inbound pass and it resulted in a turnover. On the ensuing Wizards inbound pass, it was their turn to give up possession. Tatum took advantage of the blunder and tied the game at 115 after an and-1 layup with just 3.1 seconds left. He would miss the free throw, however, forcing the second overtime.

The second overtime featured more big plays from both teams, but it was Beal’s late bucket that put Washington up 125-119. Celtics guard Terry Rozier (21 points) hit a three that made it 125-124, but Tatum’s last-second jumper on their next possession was too long, and the Wizards left “Beantown” as winners for the second time this season.

Here are the takeaways.

Protecting the Paint

Washington has defended terribly in the last few games, especially near the rim. Coming into the matchup with Boston, they’d given up 60 or more points in the paint in four straight games. They started off with the same subpar effort in the first quarter, allowing different Celtics players to get easy lanes to the basket.

Boston shot over 60 percent in the quarter, and Washington coach Scott Brooks wasn’t pleased.

“You guys are so much better than what you’re doing,” Brooks was heard saying on his ESPN-given mic during a timeout in the second quarter.

His team responded and the Wizards broke the streak of 60-plus paint points, giving up just 56 for the game.

Somebody Wins When the Family Feuds

The Morris twins faced each other for the second time this season. Marcus’ older brother, Markieff Morris always goes full throttle in their matchups. Early in the game, it was all Marcus. He was already into double figures at the end of the first quarter.

Then big bro got hot in the second, scoring nine of his 20 points and getting his team back into the game. Washington trailed by just seven, 59-52, by halftime.

Late in the game, Marcus would strike first again by hitting a clutch three-pointer with just under a minute left to put the Celtics up 103-99. But, again, it was Keef who would strike last. He hit a huge three-pointer of his own to put the Wizards up 122-117 with 2:46 remaining in the second overtime that helped propel them to the victory.

Beal Deals in the Second Half

Beal came out the locker room aggressively after just five shot attempts in the first half. He asserted himself more off the dribble.

Here, he beats the Celtics big man to put in two of his 16 third-quarter points:

On one of the most important plays of the game, Beal went off the dribble again. In the second overtime with 1:25 left, he got a favorable switch and took advantage. Beal drove past the big for an and-1 layup, then hit the free throw to put the Wizards up 124-119.

Beal told ESPN after the game that the team needed the win after a rough stretch lately in which they’d lost five out of seven.

On Saturday, the Wizards take on the Pacers.