Eastern Conference Playoffs Semis, Game 5 Series tied 2-2
Wizards at Celtics
May 10, 2017 at 8:00 PM Verizon Center | Washington, DC TV: NBA on TNT Radio: 1500 AM
What to watch:
Road Warriors
Homecourt advantage has been vital in not only this second round series, but the season series between the Wizards and Celtics. Each team has won every game on their home floor while losing each game on the road. The Wizards will look to end that trend tonight in hostile Boston. It’s a daunting task but not impossible. The Wizards scored the first 16 points in Game 1 and nearly pulled off a win in Game 2 but would ultimately come up short both times. With the series deadlocked at two Washington must win in Boston if they are looking to get past this round.
Key Matchup:
Isaiah Thomas vs. Everybody
The last time the teams met at TD Garden, IT went off for 53 points. In Game 3 he could only muster 13 points before dropping 19 in Game 4. While 19 was a better performance, the Wizards did a hell of a job defending him as he was held to just TWO points in the second half. Now he’s back in his familiar territory and since there won’t be 20,000 people chanting defense when he has the ball, the Wizards must look from within and continue to defend IT the way they did the last two games. Also this:
X-Factor:
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre played for five minutes during Game 3 before getting ejected for his altercation with Kelly Olynyk. He sat out Game 4 so tonight will be his first game back. Expect Oubre to get more minutes and become a big factor for the Wizards. He’s going to hear plenty of boos from the Boston faithful but he told Chase Hughes of CSN that he won’t let it phase him.
Fun Factor:
The D.C. Trifecta!
