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Keys to the Game: Celtics 140, Wizards 133

Marc D'Amico
Team Reporter and Analyst

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Key Moment

A 13-point lead by the Celtics shrunk all the way down to three less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Then Carsen Edwards and Jayson Tatum took over.

The unlikely duo combined to score 10 straight points from the 11:11 mark of the fourth to the 9:51 mark, pushing Boston’s lead back up to 13 in the blink of an eye. The Celtics maintained control of the game from there on out, all the way to a 140-133 victory.

Edwards got the ball rolling with a jumper from the right elbow at the 11:11 mark, which followed a smooth spin move to set up the shot. He cashed in on the jumper with only three seconds left on the shot clock.

Jayson Tatum then scored six points in a row off of two three-point plays, one the old-fashioned way, and one from beyond the arc. His first three points came off of a driving and-one play during which he split two defenders and dropped in a right-handed shot off the glass. He made the free throw, and then canned a trey from the right wing 24 seconds later to push the lead up to 11.

Edwards bookended the run with a driving layup on Boston’s next possession, giving the team a comfortable lead it would never relinquish.

Washington does deserve credit, because it did make a late run after falling behind by as many as 16 points during the fourth. The Wizards climbed to within four points with 1:17 left, but the effort was futile, as Kemba Walker canned a dagger 3-pointer at the 1:06 mark to account for the game’s final points.

Key Player

With the Celtics missing three players due to injury Wednesday night, the team knew someone was going to need to step up and deliver above their average against Washington. Carsen Edwards was that dude.

Edwards came off of Boston’s bench to score a career-best 18 points against the Wizards, 10 of which were notched during the fourth quarter. The rookie guard shot 7-for-12 from the field during 20-plus minutes, including a 4-for-5 effort from long distance.

Edwards also added in four rebounds, three assists and a steal while he was on the floor.

With many considering him to be a “microwave” player off of Boston’s bench who can rack up points in a hurry, Edwards needed a game like this. He had scored three points or fewer during seven of the first nine games of his career. He saw the ball drop through the net at a high rate Wednesday, and that might be exactly what he needed to get the ball rolling for Boston’s upcoming road trip out West.

Box Score Nuggets

  • Five Celtics scored at least 17 points, led by 25 from Kemba Walker.
  • Boston's 140 points were the most it has scored in nearly 27 years.
  • Boston had an incredible shooting night, making 51.0 percent of its shots, 44.4 percent of its 3-pointers, and 89.7 percent of its free throws.
  • Bradley Beal led all scorers with 44 points on 17-for-27 shooting.
  • Washington scored 64 points in the paint to Boston's 50.
  • Carsen Edwards scored a career-best 18 points.
  • Brad Wanamaker added in 10 points off the bench on only three shot attempts.
  • All 11 Celtics who appeared in the game scored at least two points.
  • Five Celtics tallied at least four assists, led by five apiece from Marcus Smart, Walker and Wanamaker.
  • Washington committed only eight turnovers in the game.
  • Enes Kanter led the game with nine rebounds and also scored 13 points.
  • Five Celtics grabbed one steal apiece.
  • Jayson Tatum (23 points) and Jaylen Brown (22 points) each had strong games on the wing.

Quote of the Night

Brad Stevens on the Celtics' defense