The Washington Wizards visit the Boston Celtics on Monday in the second game of a back-to-back, home-and-home set against coach Doc Rivers' crew seeking their first win of the 2011/12 season.
Sunday evening, Boston raced out to a 19-point halftime advantage and cruised to a 94-86 victory. Kevin Garnett scored 24 points--his best regular-season scoring output since March--to lead the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo tallied a triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. John Wall nearly reached a triple-double of his own, putting up 19 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. The Wizards' 2-of-16 mark on three-point attempts proved costly.
Remarkably, the 86 points Washington scored Sunday stands as a season-high. The Wizards rank dead last in the NBA in points per game, averaging 83.5. The Celtics have proven surprisingly vulnerable on defense; the once-stalwart unit has allowed 97.8 points per game in 2011/12. Only five teams have been worse.
For more on the Wizards, please visit Bullets Forever, SB Nation's Wizards blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation Boston and CelticsBlog.