John Wall scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 116-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 4 in Washington, D.C.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) dives after a ball stollen by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the first half in Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game, Thursday, May 4, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
The Wizards’ win cut the Celtics lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Washington used its home court advantage to the fullest, taking control of the game early, as the Wizards built a 20-point lead by the end of the first quarter. They maintained that lead all four quarters.
The Wizards had problems defending Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas in the first two games of the series – Thomas scored a career-high 53 points in Game Two. But Washington’s defense was elite in Game Three as Thomas was limited to just 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) guards against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the first half in Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game, Thursday, May 4, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
While Boston struggled offensively, Washington put on a well-balanced performance on offense. Six different Wizards players scored double digits in points, including all five starters. Forward Otto Porter, Jr. followed Wall with 19 points, and forward Bojan Bogdanovic also scored 19 points with 10 rebounds off the bench for Washington.
Next – the Wizards will host Boston in D.C., again, for Game Four on Sunday, May 7.
