Celtics Cast Defensive Spell Over Wizards In Overtime: 100-94

Say this about the Wizards, they are a VERY feisty team.

Playing again without their two main men, guard John Wall and center Nene Hilario, the Wizards commenced to playing like a team contemplating a competent run towards the playoffs. Okay, maybe that run doesn’t happen this year - even when their two stars return - but, for a team that hasn’t sniffed the postseason since it was known as the less politically correct Washington Bullets back in 1996-97, they seem to have a scrappiness and hunger that has been missing in recent years.

That said, the Celtics did their part in allowing these young upstarts to hang around through regulation before getting dragged into overtime where the guys in green finally asserted themselves defensively and closed out the game 100-94.

Once again, Wizards power forward Kevin Seraphin showed no fear of the Celtics’ front line and tallied 16 points, nine rebounds and a block before succumbing to defensive pressure down the stretch from superman Kevin Garnett, who went for 20 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks and one steal, and supplied game-changing defense in the waning minutes of the contest. Joining KG (once again) was Rajon Rondo who put up 18 points on 7-11 shooting (1-2 on threes) 14 assists, and 3 steals; and Paul Pierce, who overcame a dismal 2-10 shooting night to finish with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists and tenacious "D" of his own in OT.

The real story, though, was the Celtics’ bench, which scored 41 of the team’s total 100 points. Led by solid shooting from Jason Terry with 16 points (7 of 15) and Brandon Bass with 11 on 4-9 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, the C’s also got strong performances from an energizing Chris Wilcox and Jeff Green in 3 and 21 minutes of play, respectively.

Though they were eventually put away by a slowly-improving Celtics defense, the young Wizards have to be pleased with the way they’ve played against what many believe will be a top-tier team come playoff time. Wiz Rookie Bradley Beal scored 16 as did Martell Webster, A.J. Price had 15 and Chris Singleton added 14 and one emphatic dunk to help move his team into the extra period.

Box Score

The C’s are now back at .500 with a 2-2 record as they head into Friday when they’ll meet up again for the third time this season with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers will also be without one of their top talents, center Andrew Bynum, who has yet to play a game for the team that traded for him. Of course, his absence didn't stop them from crushing the Celtics in the two preseason meetings in October. I'll be nice and not post the scores to those games, since it WAS only preseason.

Next up:

Game #5
Celtics vs. 76ers
Friday, November 9th
7:30 pm

LATE BUZZ:

Former Celtic Keyon Dooling To Appear On Katie Couric Show At 3pm

For those interested, ex-Celtic Keyon Dooling will be on Katie Couric today at 3:00 pm on Channel 5 (check your local listings, J.I.C.!). Dooling will be speaking about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child, which ultimately led him to retire from the Celtics earlier this year to deal with the fallout he continues to experience so many years later. He's a brave man and it's a compelling story of achievement in the face of incredible evil. It's worth a watch if you're around.