The Boston Celtics fall to 3-4 on the season after losing to the Washington Wizards down 25 points. Boston was led by the guard play of Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley who all scored over 20 points a piece, while Washington's Otto Porter Jr. went off for a career-high 34 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
Boston couldn't stop the nosebleed on defense and played just plain bad offense, digging itself a 34-8 hole after 12 minutes in the game. Porter did his best Emmanuel Mudiay impression with 15 points and three 3-pointers in the frame, as Washington started 6-for-7 from beyond the three point territory.
Boston cannot win games with such poor perimeter defense. The Celtics’ interior rebounding also hurt them. They were out rebounded by Washington 54-31. This season long struggles continue to hurt the Celtics. Of course, Boston is only seven games into the year but when does it get in tune? Seven games turns to 10, which turns to 15, and if this continues its going to be a long critical road for the Celtics.
“I’ve got to watch the film, I’ve got to see what I’ve got to do better, see what we can do better. But that’s just the feeling I have right now, that we’re not the hardest-playing team. We don’t have that swagger no more.” Thomas said according to Chowder and Champions.
For now we just have to wait and see what will be the Celtics next game plan for the season. It's early in the season and it must be very rough for them knowing they got what it takes to dominate and compete with the best teams in the league. The hardnosed defense, the great game play should be there once they adjust and continue to watch film and know what mistakes and what could have been made to possibly win the game.
The Celtics will look to bounce back at home Friday night against the Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. Tip-off at TD Garden is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
