Boston Celtics (44-23) beat Washington Wizards (16-50) 111-100 at home on Saturday, March 14, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Celtics had the better start, winning the first 29-27 to lead by 2 after one. The Celtics kept the pressure on with a 35-14 second quarter, carrying a 23-point lead into halftime.
The Wizards won the third 31-29 to stay in front, taking a 21-point lead into the fourth. The Wizards took the fourth 28-18; the Celtics held on for a 111-100 regulation win.
What decided it
The Celtics grabbed 39.6% of their own misses, while the Wizards recovered 20%. The Celtics made 18.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 13.1 for the Wizards. The second chances kept adding up.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Celtics produced 115.7 points per 100 possessions to 104.3 for the Wizards.
The Wizards' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 50-32.
Who made the difference
Neemias Queta was the game's biggest individual force for BOS: 24 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast on 11-13 shooting. His Game Score of 26 led everyone. His team was +14 with him on the floor.
Tristan Vukcevic led the Wizards with 22 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast on 7-9 shooting, good for a 18.3 Game Score.
Jayson Tatum (20 pts, 14 reb, 7 ast) and Neemias Queta (24 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Celtics about a 95% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Boston Celtics lead 6-0.
The Celtics are now 44-23, and the Wizards are 16-50. The Celtics last five before this game: L-W-W-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.