Wizards at Celtics
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics were given a sneak peek at what may await them should they reach the Eastern Conference final, and it didn't turn out well. The Celtics look to rebound Friday night as they entertain the lowly Washington Wizards. Boston is coming off a 16-point loss to conference-leading Chicago on Thursday, a defeat that all but assures the Bulls top spot in the East and home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSW, CSNE
ABOUT THE CELTICS (54-24): Boston hung tough with Chicago for one half before the Bulls pulled away after the break. The win moved the Bulls four games up on Boston with four games left for both teams, meaning one more Boston loss or Chicago win will give the Bulls the conference title. Paul Pierce led the way with 15 points for the Celtics, who shot just 38.4 percent and made only two of 10 attempts from 3-point range. Boston is also facing a stiff challenge for the No. 2 seed from the Miami Heat, who presently have an identical 54-24 record. The two teams meet Sunday in a game that could determine who finishes second in the East.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (21-57): The first three-game winning streak of the season made for plenty of optimism in the U.S. capital, but that was quickly erased following a 136-112 waxing at the hands of the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. Washington's porous defense allowed the Pacers to shoot 59.5 percent from the floor and score 110 points after just three quarters of action. Jordan Crawford had 29 points to pace the Wizards, who fell to 3-36 away from Washington on the season. Two of the Wizards' final four games come against Boston, with matchups against Atlanta and Cleveland also on the docket.
WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Celtics PG Rajon Rondo is shooting just 17 for 47 in his last four games. Crawford has been on fire for the Wizards, averaging 22 points in 13 games since becoming a full-time starter March 15.
KEY STATISTIC: 4-13 - The Celtics' record on the second of back-to-back nights this season. Catching the Celtics on little rest may be the only chance Washington has of picking up its fourth road win of the season.
SEASON SERIES: Both teams have prevailed once on their home court. Boston blitzed Washington 114-83 on Nov. 17, while the Wizards gained a measure of revenge with a slim 85-83 triumph on Jan. 22. Boston has won seven of the last nine encounters overall.
KEY INJURIES: BOSTON: C Shaquille O'Neal (calf). WASHINGTON: F Josh Howard (knee); F Rashard Lewis (knee); C Hamady N'Diaye (knee); G Nick Young (knee); F Trevor Booker (foot).
LAST WORD: “We’ve got to be better than this. No way we can come out and put an effort like this in a game this big.” - Celtics F Kevin Garnett following the loss to Chicago.