Bradley scores 29, Celtics power past Wizards, 123-101

The Wizards shot 38.9 percent and were just 7 of 29 from beyond the arc. If game seven is necessary, it will be on Monday in Boston. Neither team this season has accomplished that feat.

He’s made the most of being healthy this time around. They were so much better than Boston in winning Games 3 and 4, and nearly prevailing in Games 1 and 2. The final score was 123-101.

In the first quarter, the Celtics jumped out to a nice lead. He flew from Chicago to Tacoma, Wash., then back to Boston in the 48-hour span between the first and second round. Thoughts of an inspired comeback departed quicker than the Celtics on leakouts. They made adjustments. It’s something they must have seen on the film, and they killed us with it in the first quarter. Washington coach Scott Brooks was asked Tuesday about what advice he had for Oubre.

Bradley’s effect was loud and clear early and often in Game 5. Well, if there was ever a performance to give them supreme confidence going forward, it was Wednesday night. Everything’s on the table, and if the Wizards don’t play with more strength and more emotion, their goose is cooked.

Thomas showed he can impact the game without putting the ball in the hoop. That was a welcomed change for the Celtics, who had relied heavily on star point guard Isaiah Thomas (who scored 18 on Wednesday) in their first two home wins of the series. It just comes with the game. “Even though we only won two, and they won two at their place, we had an opportunity to win those games even though we didn’t shoot the ball well or we didn’t play great defense”. Neither have looked very efficient in this series so it wouldn’t be surprising if Stevens ended up giving Kelly Olynyk the green light.

The only real surprise was Washington’s level of non-competitiveness. In Boston’s three wins, Wall has a plus/minus of minus-17. However, I think Washington wins Games 6 and 7. “Hopefully, everybody else is treating it like that”.

Notice that on this Wall miss, all five Wizards players were well below the free throw line, and both Bradley and Thomas were already streaking the other direction.

Known for his defense, Bradley’s career-high in the playoffs was 24 points. Al Horford could do no wrong, shooting 8-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range. Isaiah Thomas scored 18 points and handed out nine assists.

“That’s how I have to play”, Thomas told reporters. “What I’m trying to do is give the other guys space; space for others and also be a good screen-setter”.

Now the Washington Wizards are playing the Boston Celtics, and it has not been going as planned for them.

The Celtics did everything they didn’t do in Washington.

I like the Celtics to bounce back in Game 5 and hold serve.

Oubre will receive a much warmer welcome when the Wizards return to the friendly confines of Verizon Center for Friday’s Game 6. Expect Wall and the Wizards to ramp things up at home in the elimination game. The Celtics will try to make it 3-for-3 on Friday.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Beal, Otto Porter Jr.