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.
Thomas didnt get this call in part bc bigs stayed vertical. Gortat resists temptation to att block knowing IT will jump into him #WizCeltics pic.twitter.com/OJsnzZtola
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) May 9, 2017
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.
Thomas puts Wall in jail but still 2 defenders on him at the rim as he forces bad shot #WizCeltics pic.twitter.com/yjrwbXUNCw
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) May 9, 2017
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.
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Now, they just need to keep up the defensive intensity if they want to close out this series.