Boston v Washington: East Round 2

SEASON SERIES: TIED 2-2

                The Boston Celtics became the 19^th team to overcome an (0-2) hole in a best of 7 series in the playoffs and the 4^th higher seed to win a series. After falling (0-2) and losing both games at the TD Garden to the Chicago Bulls, an injury to Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo turned things around in the Celtics favor. Rondo was the catalysts between Games 1 and 2 leading the Bulls with assist and keeping down their turnovers. However, as soon as Rondo went down, the Bulls turnovers went up. After just committing (4) turnovers through the first (2) games, the Celtics forced (15.2) turnovers a game, the Bulls didn’t score over (100 ppg) except in the Games 1 and 2, while shooting under (30%) from 3PT. Compared to the Celtics who averaged only (39%) of their shots in the regular season from 3PT land, attempted (43%) of their shots from three including shooting (16/39) from behind the arc in their finishing touches of the Game 6 clinching blowout win. Boston head coach Brad Stevens went to a more athletic lineup after dropping the first (2) games replacing Amir Johnson with Gerald Green. Of course, the wake of the passing of Isaiah Thomas sister was in the hearts and minds of not just the superstar point guard but Celtic teammates and Boston faithful around as the Celtics pulled it together and found a way to beat out the Bulls. Avery Bradley strong play (14 ppg) and stellar defense on Bulls star Jimmy Butler as well as Al Horford (15.3 PPG / 8.5 RPG / 6.5 APG) helped take some of the pressure off an emotional Thomas. Even with Boston being outrebounded and less dominant in the paint; the (4) games they won came were by an average of (14.5 ppg).

VS WASHINGTON – 2016

THOMAS (27.7 PPG / 8.0 APG)

HORFORD (18.0 PPG / 6.6 RPG / 4.0 APG)

CROWDER (15.3 PPG)

                John Wall reminded everyone especially the Hawks who the Washington Wizards were. The combination of he and fellow back-court mate Bradley Beal combined for (73) points – the most they have scored together (postseason / regular season) and beat Atlanta in (6) games. Wall/Beal tandem became the 6^th set of teammates to post 40/30 points respectively in a closeout game and first since someone name Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did so. John Wall averaged (29.5 ppg / 10.3 apg) versus Atlanta and was the first Wizards player in franchise history to average such stats. Through the first (4) games of the ATL series, Wall and Bradley Beal had totaled (50%) of the team’s points. This could be something to watch for, because as dominant as those two are, only twice during the series did another Washington player score more than (15) points. Another concerning stat was points in the paint. The Wizards allowed Atlanta to average (46 ppg) inside the paint while also giving up (105.3 ppg) during their (6) game series. Being said, the Wizards have been a top (5) scoring team all season long, they scored under (100) just once versus the Hawks while shooting over (40% FG) in their two losses and over (45% FG) in their four wins.

VS BOSTON – 2016

WALL (17.7 PPG / 8.2 APG)

BEAL (22.0 PPG)

MORRIS (15.3 PPG / 9.0 RPG)

                BAD BLOOD. That will be the theme when Boston and Washington get together for the conference semis. Hatred, physicality, testy match-up, hard fouls, "dirty play” and a full out Detroit Pistons – Chicago Bulls 1980's style of basketball will be on display when this series kicks off Sunday. From John Wall popping Marcus Smart to Smart “accidentally” breaking Bradley Beal’s nose. An almost locker room scuffle that forced Boston police to step between both rooms, the all black funeral attire the Wizards wore before their match-up in DC has woken up a new rivalry. This will be one of the most anticipating and interesting playoff series, that even the less than average NBA fan will be geared up for. They split the season series (2-2) winning on their home-courts. Each team shot the ball well, shooting around (42% FG) in each of their (4) games. Ball security will be an issue for the Wizards, as they had costly turnovers in their last series which Boston will look to turn into points. However, on the flip side, slowing down John Wall in transition will be a daunting task with a Hawks team who ranked in the top (5) couldn’t do it, the defensive minded guards of Boston will have their hands full. Points in the paint and rebounding were not in the favor for either teams in their last series, but against each other in the regular season they were about identical. The guard play on both teams will be a match-up to watch. Isaiah Thomas has got the best of John Wall during the regular season while Bradley Beal vs Avery Bradley will be a chest match itself for their back court's. Al Horford is a bit more versatile big as the bigger Gortat may get the best of him in the paint, however Markieff Morris will be able to challenge Horford and his mid-range shooting skills. Jae Crowder and Otto Porter Jr. cancel each other out, as to me they are about the same stature of players at their respective positions. Bench play be another category that will be play key in the winner of this series. Acquiring Bojan Bogdanvich and Brandon Jennings has bought life to a thin Wizards bench, While Boston’s core of Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, some youngsters in Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown may be the deciding factors in who wins this series. Washington’s transition offense and if they can keep the turnovers down matched with Boston continuing to shoot the (3PT) well and staying discipline defensively are keys to victory. Boston seems to have found their groove back after a slump to start the playoffs, however the Wizards are hitting on all cylinders. Minor setbacks I think will be adjusted from the previous series will be made and I see John Wall carrying Washington to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since they were the Bullets in (1978-79).

PREDICTIONS: WIZARDS IN 7