Wizards-Celtics preview
3-14 Wizards (38-30) at Celtics (46-21)
TV: 8pm ESPN
Last game for Washington: 116-111 loss vs Minnesota
- Markieff Morris-27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
- Bradley Beal-19 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
- Tomas Satoransky-15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
Last game for Boston: 99-97 loss vs Indiana
- Marcus Smart-20 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds
- Jayson Tatum-19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
- Terry Rozier-16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Projected Washington starters: Morris PF, Porter Jr. SF, Gortat C, Beal SG, Satoransky SG
Projected Boston starters: Morris PF, Horford? SF, Baynes C, Larkin?? PG, Rozier PG
Washington preview-The Wizards are having an issue on defense with players in the paint. After giving up 76 points in Saturday’s loss to Miami, Washington gave up 64 points in the loss to Minnesota last night, however Boston is last in the Eastern Conference, averaging 39 points per game. The Wizards defeated the Celtics in Boston on Christmas Day, 111-103, as Beal scored 25 points, Porter Jr., scored 20 points and John Wall, who is still out with a knee injury, scored 21. Washington is 1-5 in the second game of a back-to-back.
Boston preview-The Celtics are like the show M*A*S*H. Although they have qualified to the playoffs, Boston has ruled out five players for the game. Shooting forward Gordon Hayward remains out with the broken leg/ankle, shooting guard Jaylen Brown is out with a concussion, forward Daniel Theis is out for the season after having season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, point guard Kyrie Irving is out, so he can rest due to tendinitis in his left knee and guard Marcus Smart had surgery to repair a tendon in his right thumb. Also, forward Al Horford, who didn’t play in the Celtics previous game, is a game-time decision due to illness. So, with all these players out tonight, expect Markieff’s brother, Marcus Morris, to play a huge role tonight. In the four games this month, Morris is averaging 14 points a game. Also, the Wizards need to watch Terry Rozier tonight, who is averaging 15 points a game, and will play over 30 minutes tonight due to all the injuries. Boston’s go to guy, rookie forward Jayson Tatum, has averaged 16 points in the two meetings against Washington.
