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Celtics Make Late Run, Down Wizards 99-88
Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Kevin Garnett poured in 19 points and grabbed six rebounds, as the Boston Celtics used a late surge to defeat the Washington Wizards, 99-88, at the Verizon Center.
Garnett’s performance allowed him to surpass Larry Bird for 24th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Garnett needed 18 points coming into the game to tie Bird (21,791 points).
Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, who snapped a three- game skid. Ray Allen donated 17 points and five rebounds. Rasheed Wallace ended with 14 points and five boards off the bench.
Caron Butler finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Earl Boykins chipped in 14 points off the bench. Mike Miller added 13 points and seven rebounds for Washington, which shot 2-of-18 from the field in the final quarter and 26.3 percent (10-of-38) in the second half.
Down 82-81, with 8 1/2 minutes to go in the fourth, the Celtics closed the game on an 18-6 run to claim victory.
A Boykins jumper had the Wizards within 87-86 with 3:42 remaining. Boston, though, responded with two Wallace free throws to make it a three-point game. And Tony Allen's layup following a Boykins turnover gave the Celtics a 91-86 margin with 2 1/2 minutes to go.
Garnett’s jumper a minute later essentially sealed the victory, giving Boston a seven-point edge.
Trailing 20-11 with less than five minutes left in the first quarter, the Wizards closed the period on a 12-4 run. Boykins’ pair of free throws had Washington within 24-23 after 12 minutes.
The Wizards put together a 22-8 burst in the third to take the lead. Nick Young tallied eight points during the flurry, including a jumper to make it a 45-36 contest with 4 1/2 minutes remaining until half.
Boston responded with a surge of its own to get within one, 47-46, but Washington held a 54-48 margin at the break.
The Wizards held a slim lead throughout the third and took a 78-74 margin into the fourth.
Boston has beat Washington five straight times...The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics are 17-8 away from home this season...Wizards forward Antawn Jamison had just eight points and eight rebounds. He left in first quarter with a left leg injury, but came back in second quarter...Celtics forward Paul Pierce donated 12 points and eight boards. He exited late in the first quarter with left ankle injury but came back in the second period.
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