4,789. The figure is precise. We are not kidding with the number of fans allowed in the room. 25%, no more. But no less either. Because in Boston, we have only one desire: to support the Celtics, on this first night of play-in, the qualifying mini-tournament for the last two places in the play-offs, with automatic access to seventh position, against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, therefore, for the winner in the opposition on Tuesday night with Washington.
– –
“It’s been a complicated year, we had injuries and the Covid protocol affected us more than other teams. We don’t have Jaylen Brown until next season on top of that (tear of the scapholunate ligament of the left wrist), but we are capable of making noise in the play-offs if this group does well, so here we have to get rid of the Wizards ”, sums up Steve Bertoni, dressed in a head-to-toe shamrock suit, who has only been able to afford a season pass for the past five years, but has been coming to TD Garden regularly since he was ” tiny “. An example, among one of the best audiences in the entire NBA, who wants to maintain its historic franchise rank (17 champion banners, NBA record shared with the Lakers).
– –
To get by, Boston, which has lost the excellence of its defense (13th in the official standings during the season), knows that it must focus on two aspects: playing fast, and going to the basket. Jayson Tatum (All-Star in 2020 and 2021, third five type last year) takes care of it. The Celtics are ahead at the end of the first quarter (21-27). Russell Westbrook (4 points) and Bradley Beal (2 points, as the second-leading scorer in the season usually turns 40.7 against the Massachusetts capital this season), are clumsy.
– –
At the start of the second quarter time, it is therefore Ish Smith, out of the bench, managed by Scott Brooks so that one of the two stars of the Wizards is always present on the field, which is very effective (5 / 7), for 11 points which allow the federal capital to hang on then pass in front at halftime: 54-52, especially after Beal was able to adjust his sights (6/12, 13 points), while Westbrook has already captured 13 rebounds and distributed 5 assists.
– –
The Wizards bewitched in the second half
But the locals quickly returned to the front: 58-56 on a three-point walk from Walker, Tatum (passed to 21 points a little before) caused the fault after an interception, for a new award-winning shot from the leader (18 points). A good pass with two new hat-tricks from the All-Stars puts a 13-point lead (69-56) in less than four minutes and, despite a time-out, the Wizards do not learn the lesson: 16 points after Tatum is still forgotten at more than 7.24 meters. The winger scored 41 in three periods, 90-80 before starting the last.
– –
The Wizards having the sight failing from afar (3/21 three-point), difficult to recover, especially as Westbrook will no longer seek a single rebound and no pass in the second half, being satisfied with ‘display 20 points. And with Beal clearly diminished by his left calf injury, which occurred on April 25, resulting in another hamstring injury a fortnight later, Washington and his porous defense can only watch Tatum hit the 50-point throw line. , under the cries of “MVP, MVP” of an audience keen on his hero.
– –
“I didn’t want to lose to Bradley (Beal)”
– –
“I didn’t want to lose to Brad (Beal) and hear that for the rest of my career ”, simply dropped Tatum at the microphone of TNT on his opponent but also a childhood friend, before explaining in a press conference his motivation by “ do not take the fact of accessing the play-offs lightly ”. The other Brad, Stevens, the famous technician of the Celtics, hopes despite the performance of the evening (100-118) sees his team turn better: “I found us a bit static”, he warns.
– –
A way to prepare for a completely different opposition, against Brooklyn in the first round of the play-offs, whose victory opened the doors to them (while the Wizards will be able to catch up against the Indiana Pacers, winners of the Charlotte Hornets, to face the Philadelphia Sixers): “Brooklyn is probably the most talented team that has been assembled since I’ve been in the NBA. They are the best of the best. I am a fan of the NBA, and I see them losing badly … We will have to play our best basketball ”, he frankly admits, referring to the armada led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
– –
He also explains in this sense “Wanting to find more opportunities to get involved and shoot” Frenchman Evan Fournier (8 points at 27%, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) to relieve Tatum and Walker. It will be Saturday, and there is something to be impatient with.
– – .
