Thomas scores 38 as Celtics dump Wizards
BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas did it again Wednesday night.
The Celtics' little big man, struggling through a tough shooting night, scored eight consecutive points in 47 seconds, 14 in 4:24 in the fourth quarter, igniting undermanned Boston to a feisty 117-108 victory over the Washington Wizards.
In addition to propelling his team to its fifth win in six games, Thomas, who high-fived boxing great Floyd Mayweather after one of his fourth-quarter bombs, got a measure of revenge against Washington's John Wall.
Thomas thought he should have been player of the month for December, but the award went to Wall. On Wednesday, Thomas scored 38 points, 20 in the fourth quarter, and added six rebounds and five assists. Wall scored a season-low nine points to go along with 10 assists and seven rebounds. He shot 4 of 21 from the floor.
There were five technical fouls in the game, the fifth called on Beal after he reacted to being taken down by Marcus Smart. Wall was ejected from the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 9 for a flagrant-2 call after a hit on Smart.
After the Wednesday game, it appeared Smart and Beal tried to get at each other. Wall slapped at Jae Crowder but missed, then threw a jab, but it was unclear if he connected. Smart was led away to the locker room. Thomas, who gave his jersey to Mayweather, was in the middle, apparently as a peacemaker.
The Celtics (24-15) exploded for a 13-0 run over 2:47 late to put the game away.
Boston went 17 of 41 from 3-point range, hitting at least 17 treys for the fifth time in six games after doing so just three times in franchise history.
The Celtics were missing starters Avery Bradley (Achilles) and Amir Johnson (ankle), along with three others, including rookie Jaylen Brown (ankle).
Crowder scored 20 points, finishing 4 of 6 from 3-point range, and Al Horford had 16 points and nine rebounds, helping overcome 35 points by Beal.
Washington's Otto Porter Jr. contributed 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Markieff Morris posted 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Marcin Gortat 10 points and nine boards.
Boston's injuries led to Jordan Mickey making his first NBA start. He logged 14 minutes, all in the first three quarters, finishing with four points and two rebounds.
It was Thomas' 23rd straight 20-point game. He failed to score 20 in only one game this season, when he had 18.
The Celtics grabbed an early seven-point lead, but the Wizards used an eight-point spurt in just 55 seconds en route to going ahead by eight later in the quarter. Boston then got three straight 3-pointers in the final 91 seconds of the quarter and led by one at the end of the period despite allowing 35 points.
The half ended with the visitors ahead by four -- and with the Celtics having allowed 127 points in three quarters dating back to Tuesday night.
Morris, 1 of 9 from the floor in the first half, hit his first four shots of the second half, helping his team to a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter. However, the Celtics used a 12-3 run to pull right back in it.
The Wizards, who led by two at the end of the third quarter, fell to 1-7 in the back end of back-to-back games.
NOTES: Boston's absent players included G/F James Young (ankle) and C Tyler Zeller (illness). ... Celtics coach Brad Stevens told F Jordan Mickey he was starting with a morning text. "I just tried to get mentally prepared from there," Mickey said. "I'm always trying to get mentally prepared, but it's different when you're coming up into a starting role." As Mickey spoke to the media pregame, G Gerald Green shouted, "Don't be Hollywood now, boy." ... Rookie G Tomas Satoransky didn't make the trip with the Wizards because of illness, missing his second straight game. ... Washington opens a three-game homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. The Celtics visit Atlanta on Friday before playing five of the next six at home. Boston F Amir Johnson (ankle) is doubtful for Friday.