The Washington Wizards are fighting for survival when they meet the Boston Celtics in the nation’s capital. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10am (AEST).
In what has been an enthralling series so far, the Celtics take a 3-2 lead into the best of seven fixture at the Verizon Center in Washington.
A lot has been made of Isaiah Thomas’ playoff series, after his sister tragically passed away on the eve of Game 1. His last couple of games have been quiet, largely thanks to the defensive efforts of the Wizards.
One problem… In Game 5, Al Horford and Avery Bradley from the Celtics combined for 50 points from less than 30 field goal attempts. When you have those two shooting such high percentages, Thomas could play on one leg and the Celtics would still win.
Which brings us to Game 6. How do the Wizards win? John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Last match in Boston, Wall shot below his average return for the season, and he will need to improve significantly on that for the Wizards to stand a chance.
He scored 27 points last start at Verizon, and you’d think that he would need to at least match that output this time around for the Wizards to have a look in.
Similarly, Wall shot well below his season average when he dropped 16 points last start.
Like Wall, Beal scored 27 points last time these two met at Verizon. Beal and Wall need to step up and do the bulk of the scoring for the Wizards to win. Simple.
In what shapes as a Wall versus Thomas battle supreme, it will be the team that plays with the most composure on the defensive end that will win this match.
Prediction
The Celtics have a game in hand and don’t travel all that well. The Wizards are fighting for survival and both Beal and Wall are due for monster games.
The Wizards scrape home in a tight one. Don’t be surprised to see a fourth quarter comeback to finish it.
Wizards by 6
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10am (AEST).
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 92 – 91 Celtics. See you all in game 7. Thomas over cooks his game winner and we're going to a 7th!! Thanks for joining us - see you in Boston for the finale.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 92 – 91 Celtics. JOHN WALLLLLLLLL!!! No he didn't! Jacks up from deep and banks a three. Three seconds to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
John Wall you freak. Wow.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 89 – 91 Celtics. Horford!!! Banks one from the corner for a deep two and the Wizards have seven seconds to keep their season alive. Appropriately - the final countdown blares over the PA system.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 87 – 89 Celtics. Bradley hits a deep two before Beal replies. 14 seconds left. Celtics timeout
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 87 – 87 Celtics. Locked up!!! Beal hits from deep and Wall converts two from the line. Blockbuster finish here.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
46′ Wizards 87 – 82 Celtics. Isaiah Thomas you freak! Hits a deep two and then a three over the top of John Wall!! Wizards time out with 90 seconds on the clock.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
46′ Wizards 79 – 80 Celtics. Thomas for 3! 4 to go.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
44′ Wizards 79 – 75 Celtics. Wall with a delightful lay up before a big block from Gortat at the defensive end. Wizards playing for their season and it's showing.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
43′ Wizards 77 – 75 Celtics. Beal jacks up from three and Washington hit the front. Some nice defensive work at the other end from John Wall consolidates the lead. Cracker last 5 minutes coming up.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
38′ Wizards 74 – 75 Celtics. Wall hits a deep two before Thomas turns around and gives him the old "anything you can do I can do better treatment" and splashes from deep himself.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
38′ Wizards 72 – 72 Celtics. Bradley goes bang again from 3 and is shooting at 80% from beyond the arc. Will he be the difference?
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
38′ Wizards 70 – 69 Celtics. Wizards take the lead as Beal hits two field goals back to back. Can Isaiah "Mr fourth quarter" Thomas step up and find his clutch??!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
38′ Wizards 66 – 69 Celtics. Final quarter is underway. Wizards are 2/19 from three. They will lose this game if someone doesn't heat up from outside.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
Completely agree. If you're the Celtics - your bench is offering little, and if you're the Wizards, you've got your two stars turning up every three games. A red-hot Cavs outfit must be licking their lips...
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
37′ Wizards 64 – 69 Celtics John Wall has found his feet, and he and Beal are keeping the Wizards in this. Morris and Gortat have been basically not sighted. 30 seconds left in the penultimate quarter.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I've got a funny feeling that if the Wizards do win this, then it will only delay the inevitable - that they will lose Monday Night in Game 7 and the Celtics will advance. I've also got a funny feeling that these two teams are really only playing off to decide who is going to get crushed 4-0 by the Cavaliers, who you have to remember have had two weeks off during the playoffs now. LeBron on two weeks rest - that's a scary prospect.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
36′ Wizards 58 – 64 Celtics Bradley AGAIN. He has 22 points with plenty to play.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
33' Wizards 58 – 61 Celtics Bradley goes bang again from three. He's unstoppable tonight and is benefitting from the open space being created through the triple guarding of Thomas. Beal hits back with a tray of his own.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
28′ Wizards 56 – 58 Celtics Wizards have found some of their defensive mojo that went missing last quarter - but Avery Bradley is still causing them extreme problems. Lead changing hands now.