Wizards subdue Celtics for 14th straight home victory
WASHINGTON -- Bradley Beal scored 13 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and the Washington Wizards won their hyped matchup with the Boston Celtics 123-108 on Tuesday night.
John Wall had 27 points for the Wizards (25-20), who extended their home win streak to 14 games -- the longest active stretch in the NBA. Washington never trailed and shot 57.8 percent from the field. The Wizards won nine of 11, including two straight on a back-to-back.
Isaiah Thomas had 25 points and 13 assists for the Celtics (26-18). Boston lost its third straight. Al Horford scored 22 points and Jae Crowder had 17.
Washington led by as many as 17 points, 91-80 entering the fourth quarter and 105-97 with 4:40 left. Beal ended any drama with four straight field goals.
Despite no recent playoff history, the third meeting of the season between Eastern Conference foes received far more pregame hype than a standard January clash. That's because of recent skirmishes dating back to last season including the previous matchup.
Moments after Boston's 117-108 home win less than two weeks prior, Wall and Crowder had a heated exchange near center court that turned physical. Words continued near the locker rooms to the point that police officers were deployed in the hallway.
Washington's players arrived for the rematch in all black attire as Wall, after Monday's 109-99 victory at the Charlotte Hornets, said they would be attending Boston's "funeral."
Thomas had 17 points and eight assists in the first half, but Boston trailed 66-59. Washington shot 65 percent from the field and four starters scored in double figures.
Markieff Morris had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards.
The winning streak is the franchise's longest since the Washington Bullets won 15 in a row during the 1988-89 season.
NOTES: The fourth and final regular-season meeting is set for March 20 in Boston. G Isaiah Thomas scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 117-108 victory in their previous home game against the Wizards on Jan. 11. ... Wizards coach Scott Brooks liked the team bonding aspect of his club's all-black attire, but was given advice not to join. "My daughter texted me, she said, 'Do not wear your black jeans because you kind of look a little chunky in them,'" Brooks said. ...Boston opens a two-game homestand Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. ... Washington, which is 6-14 on the road this season, plays at the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.