Celtics Dominate Second Half In 20-Point Victory Over Washington (10-24-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Photo Credit: John McConnell-AP
Washington D.C. – The Washington Wizards dropped their regular season opener 122-102 to the Boston Celtics at Capital One Arena on October 24. This is the first of three regular-season matchups between the two Eastern Conference teams.
Washington (0-1) entered the season with Brian Keefe taking over the helm as the full-time head coach of the team. The Wizards drafted big man Alexander Sarr, and guards Carlton Carrington and Kyshawn George. They also added veterans Malcolm Brogdon, Jonas Valanciunas, and Saddiq Bey.
Boston (1-0) are the defending champs of the 2023-24 season and defeated the New York Knicks Tuesday night, 132-109 after hitting an NBA record-tying 29 three-pointers.
The Wizards were very competitive in the first half and held their own very well. Jordan Poole got off to a fiery start scoring 17 points in the first quarter, hitting stepback and pull-up threes from all over the court. He did a good job of pushing the pace off defensive rebounds and getting the offense out in transition. Washington trailed only 33-32 after the first quarter.
In the second, Boston started to gain separation highlighted by a 10-1 run to end the quarter with Jason Tatum hitting back-to-back threes on this run. The Celtics led 64-54 at the half.
Entering the third quarter, the Celtics took control and never looked back. To open up the first six minutes, Boston outscored Washington 16-4 and went up 80-58. The Celtics began to suffocate Washington’s offense, pressuring the ball handlers and rotating well, daring them to shoot from the outside. This forced the Wizards into overpassing at times leading to turnovers, and last-minute shots before the shot clock ran out. Also, the rebounding wasn’t up to par as in the first half which resulted in 19 second-chance points for Boston.
1st Half Analysis
Poole looking good early: the ball in his hands has led to opportunities to create off the dribble and score.
Kuzma’s driving has been decent, but decision-making with shot selections has been questionable.
Rookies look like rookies which isn’t a dud, just need more time and experience.
Tatum and Brown have taken advantage of one-on-ones and mismatches.
Boston continues hot three-point shooting from Tuesday- 9/21(43%)
Some sloppy turnovers on offensive sets
Good rebounding from the Wiz (Bagley 4 off the bench: 2 off rebounds = 2 putback dunks, Val 2: 2 off rebound, Bilal and Sarr 5 each)
2nd Half Analysis
Tatum and Brown continued to target Washington’s rookies and took advantage of iso scenarios.
Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard hurt Washington’s defense from beyond the arc.
Too many turnovers and empty possessions for D.C.
Bagley had high energy off the bench for the Wizards.
Valanciunas had a great scoring and paint presence off the bench.
Overpassing for Washington and some missed passes.
Key Performances
Boston:
Small Forward Jaylen Brown- 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. (10/20 FG & 4/5 three-point line)
Power Forward Jayson Tatum- 25 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and one steal
Washington:
Point Guard Jordan Poole- 26 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and one block. (9/17 fg & 6/11 three-point line)
Center Jonas Valanciunas- 18 points, 5 rebounds, and two assists. (8/13 fg & 2/2 ft)
Rookie Performances:
Carrington: 3 points, 3 rebounds, two assists and two blocks
Sarr: 2 points, 5 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks
George: 4 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists
Washington’s three rookies all didn’t have the best first game of their young NBA careers. But it is not a knock on the trio, as they have much more developing and learning to do. Carrington responded well, taking on the challenge of guarding the Celtics guards and even Tatum & Brown at times. George had two nice cuts for dunks and made some nice passes. Sarr was contesting shots well, never backed down from guarding Tatum in iso situations, and rebounded well at times.
Boston’s game plan seemed to dial in on challenging the rookies and putting them into some unfavorable matchups against their stars. Tatum had a lot of moments in that second and third quarter where he was able to get Sarr switched onto him off on high screens. Brown also had times where he had Carrington or George in the paint and used his skillset to get to the rack. Experience and championship DNA just got the best of them which is understandable.
The rookies had good scoring opportunities on offense and just couldn’t get shots to fall. There were moments of hesitation to shoot which caused some slip-ups but they’ll get more comfortable the more they play.
Injuries
Celtics:
● Center Kristaps Prozingis- out (Foot surgery recovery)
● Forward Sam Hauser-out (back soreness)
Wizards:
● Guard Malcolm Brogdon- out (Thumb surgery recovery)
● Guard-Forward Saddiq Bey- out (ACL surgery recovery)
● Guard Carlton Carrington- sprained his ankle in the late fourth quarter after landing awkwardly on a layup drive, and now has a mild sprain.
Up Next
The Wizards and Celtics are both back in action on Saturday, Boston heads to Detroit and Washington hosts Cleveland back at Capital One.
