Shorthanded Wizards manhandle Celtics

The Washington Wizards were without some of their best players, but the ones they had were good enough to stun the visiting Boston Celtics, 130-111, Tuesday night, March 28 (Wednesday, March 29, Manila time).

Kristaps Porzingis amassed 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Wizards, who were without Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma. 

It was the fourth straight game Beal missed because of a sore left knee, while Kuzma hasn’t played the past five games because of a right ankle sprain.

Beal, who is averaging a team-high 23.2 points per game, reportedly was involved in an incident with fans as he left the court following Washington’s game in Orlando on March 21. He has been inactive since that game. Kuzma is the team’s No. 3 scorer (21.2 ppg).

Washington center Daniel Gafford also missed the game with a left foot injury.

The Wizards received 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists from Deni Avdija, and 19 points and 9 assists from Monte Morris. Washington shot 54-of-99 from the field (54.5%).

Jayson Tatum had 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Celtics, who shot 11-of-44 from three-point range. Jaylen Brown added 18 points for the Celtics, while Marcus Smart scored 14 and Malcolm Brogdon had 13.

Boston (52-24) remains in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, 2 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks (54-21). 

Washington (34-42) sits in 11th place in the East, 2 1/2 games behind the 10th-place Chicago Bulls (36-39), who hold the last play-in position.

The Wizards led 29-23 after one quarter and had their largest lead of the first half entering the break, 64-51. The Celtics didn’t attempt a free throw in the first two quarters.

A Morris basket capped a 10-0 run that gave Washington an 82-60 advantage with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter. The Wizards built a 23-point lead late in the third quarter and were up 99-78 entering the fourth.

Boston clawed within 12 midway through the fourth but failed to get any closer. – Rappler.com