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Washington Wizards: 3 adjustments to winning Game 3 vs. Celtics

By Jerran Anderson

May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots defended by Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots defended by Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) reacts during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) reacts during the fourth quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Match intensity or go home with another loss

Through two games, the Celtics have outplayed the Wizards as a whole, but stellar play with the Wizards starts with their dynamic backcourt. John Wall and Bradley Beal have to match the Celtics’ level of play.

The Washington Wizards’ other three starters finished Game 2 with double digits in scoring. Marcin Gortat had a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Otto Porter had 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

However, Wall and Beal took a combined 47 shots for the Wizards’ offense in Game 2. The strategy so far for Boston has been forcing the guards to take tough shots and as evidenced by the final shot in regulation, it’s worked to perfection.

Now is the time for Beal and Wall to start trusting their teammates on the court more. They combined for 11 turnovers in Game 1 and 10 turnovers in Game 2. The Celtics are a gritty team on defense, but so are the Wizards.

The guards need to step up, particularly on Isaiah Thomas on the defensive end, or their magical season could come to a halt very soon.

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It didn’t help that both Gortat and Morris fouled out of the game either. Washington’s dynamic duo of Beal and Wall need to buckle down on defense and protect their bigs as they need them when things get tight.

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