Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 Preview
Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA
When: Tuesday, May 2, 2017 – 8:30 PM ET
Line: Washington Wizards (+5.5) vs. Boston Celtics (-5.5) – total: 218.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
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Betting on the Washington Wizards (+185)
Game 1 concluded with a good amount of frustration falling on the Wizards’ heads. Along with failing to capitalize on a big, 38-point output the first quarter, which saw them hold a double-digit lead at the end of the period, key forward Markieff Morris’s health will be in question moving forward, as he is currently nursing an ankle injury.
The one good takeaway, though, is that they were better than expected. The one-two punch of John Wall and Bradley Beal did a fine job of leading the team overall – Wall posted a 20-point, 16-assist double-double, while Beal scored a team-high 27. The defense they attracted allowed their supporting cast to also have a productive night, as four other Wizards scored 10 or more, including Marcin Gortat and Otto Porter Jr., who both double-doubled on points and rebounds.
With that, we can all expect that with or without Morris, the Wizards are in a good position to win Game 2 and even takeover the series. They can matchup well with the Cs’ fast-paced play, as they actually mirror their personnel from one through five. Wall limiting his mistakes (eight turnovers in Game 1) is the only obstacle the Wiz will have to hurdle on.
The Wizards are 10-10 in their last 10 games on the road (8-11-1 ATS).
Betting on the Boston Celtics (-225)
The Celtics are continuing their playoff tear. They have now won five in a row (SU and ATS) after dropping the first two games in the previous round, recording 108.8 points, 28.6 assists, and 14.2 threes in that five-game span.
Led by the usual suspects – Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, Avery Bradley, and Jae Crowder – the Cs lit up the scoreboard on Sunday. The foursome averaged 84 points together in the season series with the Wizards, and they performed as such in Game 1. They put up 96 of the team’s 123 – Crowder had 24 (6-for-8 from three), Horford was one board shy from a triple-double, Thomas scored a game-high 33, and Bradley chipped in 18 points and four steals.
Boston, overall, was in Golden State Warriors territory in draining trifectas and ball movement, as they splashed 19 treys and dished out 32 assists for the game.
Holding a 1-0 series lead with better momentum on their side, what the team now needs is focus. If they can relax and not be too eager duplicating their explosive offense in Game 1 – because they can’t expect to be that potent every night – they’ll remain in control of the series.
Writer’s Prediction
The Wizards (+5.5) tie the series to one apiece and steal home court advantage, 114-108.
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