4,789. The figure is precise. We do not laugh 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 mini-qualifying 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 of this Tuesday evening with Washington.
“It was 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, too. (tear of the scapholunate ligament of the left wrist), but we are able to make noise in the play-offs if this group takes well, so there we have to get rid of the Wizards, ” summarizes Steve Bertoni, dressed in a head-to-toe trefoil suit, who has only been able to afford a season ticket for the past five years, but has been a regular at TD Garden since he was ” tiny “. An example, among one of the best audiences in the entire NBA, which wants to maintain its historic franchise rank (17 champion banners, NBA record shared with the Lakers).
To get out of it, Boston, which has lost the excellence of its defense (13th in the official ranking in 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, while the second best scorer in the season is usually 40.7 against the capital of Massachusetts this season), are clumsy.
At the start of the second quarter, it was therefore Ish Smith, off the bench, managed by Scott Brooks so that one of the two Wizards stars was always present on the field, who was very effective (5 /7), for 11 points which allow the federal capital to hang on and then pass in front at half-time: 54-52, especially after Beal was able to adjust his sights (6/12, 13 points), while Westbrook has already grabbed 13 rebounds and distributed 5 assists.
The Wizards bewitched in the second half
But the locals quickly go back in front: 58-56 on a three-pointer from Walker, Tatum (increased to 21 points a little before) causes 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 offers a 13-point lead (69-56) in less than four minutes and, despite a timeout, the Wizards do not learn their 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 failing scope from afar (3/21 from three points), difficult to come back, especially since Westbrook will only look for a single rebound and no second half assist, contenting himself with show 20 points. And since Beal is clearly diminished by his left calf injury, which occurred on April 25, having led to another hamstring injury a fortnight later, Washington and his porous defense can only watch Tatum reach 50 points on the free throw line. , to the cries of “MVP, MVP” from 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 this for the rest of my career,” simply dropped Tatum at the microphone of TNT on his opponent but also childhood friend, before explaining his motivation at a press conference by “ not to take the fact of reaching the play-offs lightly”. The other Brad, Stevens, the renowned 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 Philadelphia Sixers): “Brooklyn is probably the most talented team that’s been assembled since I’ve been in the NBA. They are the best of the best. I’m a fan of the NBA, and I can’t see them losing… We’re going to have to play our best basketball.” he frankly admits, referring to the armada led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
It also explains in this sense “wanting to find more opportunities to involve 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 reason to be impatient.