Celtics beat Wizards in what feels like a home game on the road

The sector was stuffed with a lot Celtic inexperienced you may need thought you had been at TD Backyard. However, it was the streets of downtown Washington DC that had been flooded with followers donning Tatum and Brown jerseys, hours earlier than the Celtics-Wizards Sunday night match-up even tipped off. When the doorways lastly opened, a sea of Celtics followers inundated Capital One Area, crowding across the gamers’ tunnel in hopes of getting an autograph, a wave, or any type of acknowledgement from one of many stars.

The dearth of Wizards followers turned much more noticeable when beginning lineups had been launched, and the gang rose to its ft for the Celtics’ introductions, however stayed quiet for the Wizards. That set the tone for the remainder of the evening; when the Celtics scored, the place erupted, paying homage to how it could in Boston, simply with out the assist of the in-arena sound results.

“It’s changing into the norm in plenty of locations we go,” Tatum mentioned of the widespread assist from the followers. “You actually respect the followers — how nicely we journey, the love and assist that they present us, in every single place we go.”

All evening lengthy, the in-arena hosts tried to rally the gang to cheer for the house crew, however with out a lot luck. The Wizards fell behind by double-digits early on, trailing by as many as 36, and finally fell 130-104 to the red-hot Celtics.

The Celtics got here out swinging and by no means seemed again, led by Jayson Tatum, who completed with 30 factors, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and three steals in three quarters. Payton Pritchard added 12 factors and a career-high 13 assists off the bench, and Luke Kornet and Al Horford every added 14.

Sam Hauser, who hit a career-best 10 of 13 threes, was on tempo to interrupt the franchise file of 11 threes earlier than spraining his ankle halfway by means of the third quarter. When he exited, he did so to a passionate ovation from a Capital One Area Crowd that was in awe of his capturing efficiency.

Demond McFarland was one of many a whole lot of Celtics followers who confirmed up early to observe the Celtics safe a Fifth-straight win and enhance their file to a league-best 53-14. A fan since 1984, McFarland made the journey to DC all the best way from Rochester, New York.

McFarland mentioned he’s appreciated what he’s seen from the Celtics, who maintain a league-best 53-14 file this season: “I see a starvation in them this yr that I haven’t seen up to now years, like that. To me, it looks as if they hear the skin noise, and it’s fueling them.”

Like McFarland, 24-year-old Ryan Osborne traveled to DC to assist the Celtics. McFarland had a shorter commute – he resides in Richmond, Virginia – however he’s made the journey to DC for this sport for ten consecutive years.

“It’s my favourite,” Osborne mentioned. “Each single time, it’s a sea of inexperienced, as you possibly can see at this time. We pack it up, it’s not simply because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. We normally take over this enviornment, it’s the very best a part of this.”

Joe Mazzulla acknowledged postgame that, in a means, the skewed environment provides the house crew an edge.

“It in all probability pisses the opposite crew off, and so a bit little bit of a duality,” Mazzulla mentioned. “You may have a duty and possession to the Celtics – on the identical time, it’s important to tackle that expectation as a result of you realize the opposite crew in all probability feels some kind of means about it.”

Jayson Tatum was initially on the harm report, listed as questionable with an ankle impingement, however finally opted to play. It’s develop into a little bit of a operating joke throughout the Celtics fanbase that Tatum will do something to not sit. After the win, he elaborated on why he selected to play regardless of the Celtics having such a considerable lead within the standings.

“I don’t like to take a seat out,” Tatum mentioned. “I perceive if I used to be injured or no matter, however I’ve mentioned it earlier than — I simply like to play the sport, particularly on the street. So many followers on the market with Tatum 0 jerseys who got here to see me play, so I take satisfaction in ensuring I’m obtainable as a lot as I can.”

The followers in Washington DC had been absolutely glad to see the MVP candidate opted to compete.