Celtics at Wizards
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics are coming off one of their worst performances of the season going into Monday night's game at the Washington Wizards. The Celtics fell 100-77 at Miami on Sunday and trail the Heat by one game in the battle for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards, who played like pushovers most of the season, are showing signs of improvement late in another lost season. Washington has won five of its last eight games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS-Washington, CS-New England
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (22-58): Washington's recent success wouldn't mean much to a playoff-caliber team, but the Wizards have been making some progress. Washington is trying to build around rookie point guard John Wall, who is averaging 16.4 points and 8.5 assists. The Wizards are finally adding some pieces around Wall, most notably guard Jordan Crawford, who is averaging 16.6 points since being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline. Forward Andray Blatche, who has become a force on both ends of the floor, scored 23 points in 115-83 win over the Hawks on Saturday.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (55-25): Paul Pierce guaranteed the Celtics would be ready to play Sunday against Miami. Other than the game's first few minutes, it didn't look that way. Boston was outplayed completely in its biggest game of the regular season, and now must win its final two games and hope Miami loses once to get the No. 2 seed. The Celtics are 9-10 their last 19 games. Is this a sign they're bored as they wait for the playoffs to begin? Or is this an indication Boston's flaws, particularly at the center position, have been exposed and will prevent the Celtics from reaching the NBA Finals for the second straight season?
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Blatche is averaging 25.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in his last six games. Point guard Rajon Rondo, the man who makes the Celtics go, was a no-show Sunday. He was held to seven points and five assists.
KEY STATISTIC: Here's a very un-Celtics like number, especially in a big game: Boston was outrebounded 42-26 by Miami on Sunday. The trade of Kendrick Perkins and Shaquille O'Neal's inability to stay on the floor because of injuries have left a major void at center for the Celtics at the worst possible time of the season.
SEASON SERIES: The Celtics have won two of three. The Wizards' only win came 85-83 on Jan. 22. Wall is averaging 18 points against Boston. Rondo is averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds in the three games.
KEY INJURIES: BOSTON: C Shaquille O'Neal (calf); F Jermaine O'Neal (knee); G Von Wafer (calf). WASHINGTON: F Josh Howard (knee); F Rashard Lewis (knee); G Nick Young (knee); F Trevor Booker (foot); C Hamady N'Diaye (knee).
LAST WORD: The Celtics can't afford a Heat hangover, especially since the Wizards have been playing respectable basketball the last couple weeks. Boston finishes the regular season on Wednesday at home against New York.