Wizards 95, Celtics 94 (OT)
John Wall scored 24 points and the host Washington Wizards defeated shorthanded Boston 95-94 in overtime Monday night, assuring the Celtics of the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Following Boston's loss to Miami on Sunday, a defeat that dropped the Celtics out of the second spot, coach Doc Rivers rested several of his key players against Washington. Boston played without Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, who were on the inactive list, and Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, who were in uniform but stayed on the bench.
Jordan Crawford, whose jump shot tied the game 84-84 with 5.4 seconds remaining and forced the overtime, hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.6 seconds left that gave the Wizards a 95-92 lead.
Jermaine O'Neal's tip-in cut it to one, but Carlos Arroyo missed an open jumper with two seconds left and Washington secured the rebound.
Crawford scored 17 points for the Wizards (23-58) while Andray Blatche added 16.
Jeff Green and Glen Davis scored 20 points apiece for Boston (55-26). Delonte West, who started at guard and scored 11 points, sprained his ankle in the third quarter and didn't return.
Washington rallied fron an 83-77 deficit with 58.2 seconds remaining. Wall was fouled shooting a 3-pointer with 21.2 seconds to go and made all three shots, cutting the lead to 83-82. Boston's Von Wafer split two free throws with 17.1 seconds left before Crawford tied the game.