After a heart wrenching defeat to the Denver Nuggets this past Sunday night, the Celtics have started to stumble the past few games and the progression of this team is in jeopardy with Jae Crowder on the sidelines with a sprained right angle and Al Horford going through concussion protocol, but as sources have said, Horford’s progression through the concussion protocol has been not showing any signs of improvement.
It’s early in the season and resting the guys who we need the most throughout the playoffs, (if we make it), is essential in our run for another title. Crowder sustained an similar ankle injury last year and came back too fast and was not the Jae Crowder we know always pressuring opponents. Same goes to Horford, who needs to take time with one of the most common injuries throughout all of sports, and needs time to rest up.
With looking at the Celtics lineup today, going against this Wizards team, who are 1-5, looks like a walk in the park, but this team has the players to surprise the best of teams. Point guard John Wall has been averaging nearly 21 points a game to go along with over 9 assists a game, which helped him surpass Wes Unseld for most assists in Bullets/Wizards history. Along with Wall, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat have been key factors for the Wizards, as their record doesn’t show their true team along with wing players Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr.
For the Celtics, looking to Isaiah Thomas to guard the elusive Wall is one of the big match ups going into tonight’s game with Thomas being relied on a lot through the first 6 games. From a personal standpoint, capitalizing on Beal and the shooters will have an ultimate toll on this Wizards team, as it blocks off who Wall can pass to and create separation for more opportunities to score. Avery Bradley will most likely be guarding the 6’5 Beal, and has been stellar throughout the first 6 games. Nearly 9 rebounds a game, Bradley leads the team in rebounding as that right there is a problem when looking at the front court for the C’s. Utilizing Amir Johnson and Tyler Zeller against the rebounding machine of Poland Marcin Gortat (over 12 boards a game) will ultimately effect transition basketball for the Wizards if the C’s can get more boards against this Wizards team and more second chance opportunities.
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