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Washington Wizards: 3 keys to a Game 5 victory

By Jerran Anderson

May 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) celebrates with Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) celebrates with Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) celebrates with Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) celebrates with Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Continue to play physical with Isaiah Thomas

The Washington Wizards have certainly turned the physicality up a notch these past few games. The Celtics came out hot and the Wizards adjusted in the second half.

Boston point guard Isaiah Thomas had 17 points in the first half, going 5-of-6 from three-point range. However in the second half, the Wizards held him to two points. He looked very frustrated and even ended up getting called for a technical foul late in the game.

Thomas finished the game with six turnovers and five assists. He was 7-of-14 overall from the floor, but the Wizards did their best to keep him out of the game and it worked.

Washington’s defensive intensity took the air out the Celtics’ offense at a key time in the game. The Wizards went on a 26-0 run in the third quarter, forcing seven turnovers. Thomas accounted for five of those turnovers.

The Wizards starters’ stepped up big time to tie the series up as well. John Wall had five steals to finish the game, Otto Porter had four steals and Markieff Morris had three.

Next: The top 10 moments of Paul Pierce's NBA career

Now, they just need to keep up the defensive intensity if they want to close out this series.