It’s do-or-die when the Washington Wizards take on the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 decider for the ages in Boston. Join The Roar for all the action from 10am (AEST).
This game comes down to which side can sustain pressure and not succumb to ‘Game 7 demons’ when they face off for the right to take on Cleveland in the Western playoffs.
If the Celtics were superstitious, they can almost lock down the win before they step onto the court, with home teams 101-26 in NBA seventh games.
This combined with Avery Bradley averaging 28 points a game should ring warning bells for Wizards fans far and wide.
In a see-sawing series typified by fourth-quarter comebacks, the Wizards snuck home in Game 6 on the back of some John Wall and Bradley Beal magic. Isaiah Thomas and Bradley fought hard and would’ve been disappointed they couldn’t shut Washington out of the game when they had all the running at the start of the fourth quarter. Game 7 is an entirely different kettle of fish, however.
LeBron James and his Cavaliers are well rested, and ready to pounce on whichever of these two sides happens to limp through today’s match. If it’s the Celtics, it will be on the back of a Thomas masterclass. If it’s the Wizards? Well, Beal and Wall will have to conjure up more of what they were cooking in Game 6.
It promises to be an absolute humdinger of a battle.
Prediction
The Celtics should have won last match, given how slowly Wall and Beal started. Washington couldn’t buy a three-pointer until the start of the fourth quarter – it really shouldn’t have got to a seventh.
But Game 6 was merely delaying the inevitable. If Thomas, Bradley and Horford turn up, the Celtics will win this comfortably.
Celtics by 12
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10am (AEST).
KingCowboy
Guest
Harden has a heart a size of a pea, they will never win with him!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
No worries Scott - keen to see how the men in green will go against the Cavs machine.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Celtics 115 def Wizards 105 It was fate for the Celtics as they held off a spirited Wizards. Thomas and Olynyk were immense - the latter in particular who scored 26 points off the bench and pulled in five important boards. For the wizards - Beal scored 39 points but couldn't get them home. The Celtics will now battle a well rested, well organised Cleveland side that will be looking to carry on their imperious form. What a series we have just witnessed - onwards we roll! Thanks for joining us Roarers - until next time.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, Celtics with home court advantage against the Cavs. I still can't see them winning more than two - the Cavs have had a fortnight off since the start of the playoffs, while the Celtics have played an extra five games in those two weeks. They are going to really struggle to match it with a fresh LeBron I reckon. The other thing to note is that the top four regular season teams have made the conference finals. That's the way it should be, as much as I would prefer Houston to be in out west. Cheers for the call Nick.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
48′ Wizards 105 – Celtics 114 Game over here. 20 seconds left and Smart drives for two to put the Wizards to bed. Barring a miracle bigger than Jesus turning water to wine it will be the Celtics and Cavs next series.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
Even more unbelievable considering the entire Celtics bench offered 5 points last game... Mammoth effort.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
45′ Wizards 103 – Celtics 112 Crowder goes end to end after a Wizards turnover and puts it home - is that the end for the Wizards?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Surely it's done and dusted now. What an effort from Olynyk. 26 points and 10 out of 14 shooting with five rebounds - talk about putting a team on your back
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
47′ Wizards 103 – Celtics 110 Gortat goes to the line and1 and drains the extra shot. 1:30 to go.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
45′ Wizards 100 – Celtics 110 Olynyk is the hero in green as he drains another three. Unbelievable scenes. 3 to go.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
44′ Wizards 98 – Celtics 107 Beal hits 1/2 from the line and has 39 points. Olynyk is on another planet as he spins away from Gortat and rolls one in from the post.
MavsDirkSwish41
Guest
Wonderful analysis
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
Inconsequential series yes - I think the Cavs will beat whoever progresses either 4-0 or 4-1. Re:Dirk - he's still one of the best. Keen to see what he comes up with in 2017/18. The Mavs tanked hard at the back end of this season not dissimilar to teams like the Knicks; and should benefit from the draft. Exciting times ahead for the Dallas boys.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
44′ Wizards 97 – Celtics 103 Bradley Beal!!! Is fouled as he drains another three and comes up with the four point play. But Olynyk turns around and slams down straight away to give the Celtics some breathing room. Beal can't miss while the Celtics bench is outplaying their stars at the moment. Intriguing stuff
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
43′ Wizards 93 – Celtics 101 Olynyk and Smart have been massive off the bench for the Celtics tonight. Olynyk comes up with another jumper before Beal drains a three at the other end. The Celtics can't put the Wizards to bed - and as I write this, Olynyk drains a three and has 19 points.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
43′ Wizards 90 – Celtics 96 Smart with a deep corner two before Beal responds. Beal has 30.
MavsDirkSwish41
Guest
Inconsequential series anyway, a win here just results in embarrassment by the Cavs. More importantly Mavs will be building a championship contender this offseason. Dirk needs another ring!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
IT has ice in his veins! Will be interesting to see if Beal and Wall can respond.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
33′ Wizards 86 – Celtics 94 And just like that - the Wizards go on a 7-0 run through Gortat and Morris. The deficit is back to eight and the Wizards are still kicking.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
40′ Wizards 83 – Celtics 94 Morris settles things with a baseline floater. Important basket.