Final: Wizards 130, Celtics 111 - Embarrassing loss likely costs Celtics top seed

Game 76: Celtics (-11) at Washington Wizards, 7:00 p.m., Capital One Arena, NBCS Boston

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari

QUESTIONABLE- Grant Williams (non-COVID illness)

PROBABLE- Payton Pritchard (heel)

Washington: OUT- Bradley Beal (knee), Daniel Gafford (foot), Kyle Kuzma (ankle)

Wizards Probable Starters: Monte Morris, Corey Kispert, Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija, Johnny Davis 

Refs: Marc Davis (#8), Brent Barnaky (#36), Matt Myers (#43)

Last time they played: Celtics 130, Wizards 121, November 27 - The Celtics created some space after a back-and-forth start thanks to Malcolm Brogdon in the first quarter. Boston’s bench helped that turn into a 17-point halftime lead by outscoring Washington 12-1 in the first half. Jaylen Brown was big throughout and the lead grew to 26 in the third. The Wizards gave Boston a little bit of a scare with a 15-4 garbage time run to start the 4th, ultimately cutting the lead down to 12, but Joe Mazzulla reinserted his starters and they held the Wizards at bay.

A little something about this game: The Wizards have lost 8 of their last 10. This will be the 26th game Beal has missed this season for Washington, and the Wizards are 9-17 without him. The Wizards have fallen 3 games behind the Bulls for the final play-in spot. Brown has led the Celtics in scoring in Boston’s two previous matchups against the Wizards. 

Things I’m looking for: 

- Keep the roll going: The Celtics have had three straight great performances against teams that were either in a tough spot schedule-wise or just plain bad. This is what championship teams are supposed to do in these situations. Now, they face the struggling Wizards who are without their best player two days before they face the Milwaukee Bucks. Don’t let down now and blow your chance at the top seed before Thursday’s big game. 

- Tatum searching for his shot: He’s been struggling from deep and he’s spent too much time in too many games looking to see if he can find his shot. That's been counterproductive, not only hurting the offense but hurting his own efforts. Keep attacking the rim against the Wizards, especially when Porzingis sits, and let the flow of the game bring your shot back. 

- Smart vs. Porzingis: These guys are always good for a moment with each other. 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.