The most competitive game we saw during the Celtics-Wizards series felt like a boxing match that went the distance. A heroic John Wall game-winning 3-pointer gave the Wizards the 92-91 victory.
After the first half, things didn’t look so great for the Wizards. They looked dejected after letting the Celtics finish the first half on a 12-1 run, along with a three-point first half by John Wall, where he scored no points in the second quarter. It was simply a poor showing.
Yet Wall stepped up in the third quarter, posting 13 points after finally finding his groove. While the game didn’t have a great flow early on, it was fun to watch teams trade blows as the Celtics tried to seal the deal, and the Wizards vied to stay alive.
In the final seconds of the game, John Wall came up with the game-winning basket. The Verizon Center looked like it was going to melt as Wall’s shot tickled the twine.
The Wizards’ second-half performance was a great display of perseverance. Bradley Beal and Markieff Morris carried the load in the first half, as Avery Bradley and Al Horford continued to abuse the Wizards. Though things all came together in the final 24 minutes for Washington.
It started in the third quarter when Wall was finally able to finish at the basket. In the second quarter, he missed a terribly easily layup. After the play, he nodded to one of his teammates, as if he had just been asked if he was alright.
Aside from his game winner, Wall’s best offensive play might have been on this spin move that led to an easy bucket.
Wall finished that quarter with 13 points, and was clearly in a zone. Morris and Beal both contributed six points apiece in the quarter.
Wall and Beal sealed the deal in the fourth quarter, combining for 23 points. In the second half, the trio of Wall, Beal and Morris scored all 51 of the Wizards’ points. The rest of the Wizards helped outrebound the Celtics in the half 22-15. It may not be a perfect formula, but it allowed the Wizards to survive.
The win was easily the biggest for the franchise in decades. The Wall and Beal duo has shown flashes of true excellence, and they came up when their team needed them Friday night against the Celtics. The game-winner by Wall was the perfect finishing touch.
It was a dramatic end to a game that had us on our heels the entire time. Now, we await Game 7 on Monday.