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Washington Wizards: 3 keys to victory in Game 7 over Boston

By Jerran Anderson

May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (left) hugs Wizards guard Bradley Beal (right) after their game against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (left) hugs Wizards guard Bradley Beal (right) after their game against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates after the final horn sounds against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates after the final horn sounds against the Boston Celtics in game six of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 92-91, and tied the series at 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Start fast, leave the trash talk in the locker room

The Washington Wizards need to start fast and it all starts with playing smarter. Lately, they’ve let the trash talk get in the way of the goal, which is to win the game.

The Celtics have won the momentum game at home but the Wizards know what it means to play fast and to their strengths. In Games 1 and 2, they held double-digit leads before squandering them.

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While they’ve been aggressive on defense, they’ve gotten way too shot-happy from the three-point line. The only problem with that is they’re shooting 31.4 percent from three in the playoffs. The Wizards are much more successful when they get out on the break for easy layups and dunks.

Beal showed that by shooting 14-for-18 inside the three-point line in Game 6. He was also 1-for-8 from three, and he’s largely struggled from there. Luckily he adjusted by taking a step inside the line. The Wizards shot 5-for-24 from three-point range as a team in Game 6.

The Wizards can get layups and dunks but they have to be less shot-happy behind the arc in Game 7. It lets the Celtics off the hook, especially when Isaiah Thomas can be exploited on the defensive end.