Regular Season Game 69
Wizards (38-30) at Celtics (46-21)
March 14, 2018 at 8:00 PM TD Garden | Boston, MA
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1500 AM
(Photo: Ned Dishman via Getty Images)
What to Watch:
Top Teams in the East
Regarded as two of the top teams in the East prior to the season, the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics look to Game 3 of their season series as each team looks to solidify their seeding for the playoffs. The season series is tied at one apiece with the Wizards winning at Boston on Christmas Day and the Celtics taking one in D.C.In addition, this game will be nationally televised on ESPN as the first game of a double header.
The Wizards, fresh off a loss to the Timberwolves at home, will travel to the snow storm in Boston for their second of back-to-back games. The Wizards will look to prove critics wrong when it comes to fatigue after the recent back-to-back against New Orleans and Miami. The Wizards were able to handle the Pelicans without Anthony Davis, but were picked apart by Miami the day after.
For the Celtics, who came off of a tough loss to the Pacers, have injury concerns, starting with Kyrie Irving with a sore left knee that kept him out of the game in the second half, along with Marcus Smart, who also suffered a tendon injury in his thumb. It is likely that Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin will fill in. Al Horford, who is battling an illness, is also questionable.
Key Matchup:
Backcourt Battle
With both teams’ backcourts suffering from the injury bug, look for the reserves to step up and play more minutes. Fortunately for the Wizards, they continue to get great production from their All-Star in Bradley Beal and former second round pick Tomas Satoransky, who has continued to be an efficient player in John Wall’s absence. For the Celtics, Rozier has averaged 14 points per game against the Wizards this season and he will rely on his scoring on offense and energy on defense.
(Photo: Ned Dishman via Getty Images)
X-Factor:
Wizards Pair of Jr.’s
In two games this season against the Celtics, Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. have been productive, scoring an average of 23.5 and 13.5 points per game, respectively. If the Wizards are going to beat the Celtics, they will need production from both the Jr.’s especially with Oubre leading the bench in scoring. They have a tough task as they will be against potential Rookie of the Year in Jayson Tatum who has been on a tear this season for the Celtics and will most likely be one of their main contributors.
(Photo: Ned Dishman via Getty Images)
Fun Factor:
Another Nationally Televised Game
This is another Celtics-Wizards game that will be nationally televised, adding to the idea that these two teams were donned as top teams in the East before the season started. Their first matchup was televised by ABC on Christmas Day, which was then followed by TNT on February 8th. This game will be televised by ESPN. Look for both teams to put more effort than usual to avoid public humiliation.
Prediction:
With all the injuries that Boston is experiencing, this should be a win for the Wizards. If the Wizards are able to get good production from their starters along with their main bench players, then they will look to start a winning streak with 14 games left in the regular season.