Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks, Moneyline

How to Watch Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics

Head-to-Head: Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics

WAS: Play To Your Strengths

The Washington Wizards are an incredibly flawed team when you take a look at their roster on paper. But somehow, through sheer force of will and leadership, the Wizards were able to bring themselves to the play-in rounds.

A large factor in their success is their ruthless offensive nature. They push the ball up the court and if that isn’t enough they push the ball even faster, evidenced by their league-leading pace. When the game runs through human cannonball Russell Westbrook or professional scorer Bradley Beal, they are competitive in any game.

Washington needs to manage their opponents defensively though. Boston has firepower like the Wizards, in Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum. While their paint personnel is limited, they can overwhelm teams through effort on the offensive boards. The Wiz must be wary.

Wizards Key Player: (G) Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal’s 33 PTS power @WashWizards to 8 STRAIGHT Ws! #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/CSDcybxTez

— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2021

Bradley Beal may have suffered an injury at the wrong time, but if he can maintain his form he’ll be difficult to handle.

Beal is averaging 32.3 points per game on 48.9% shooting from the field over his last nine games. While not much of a playmaker, the attention he draws is significant enough for him to create for others as well.

Marcus Smart will likely hound the Eastern Conference scoring leader on defence. If Beal can overcome Smart, the Wizards could see them in the NBA Playoffs.

BOS: Dominate the Glass

When you look at a team sporting the likes of Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Evan Fournier, the last thing you’d think is a team that needs to win the boards. But against the Wizards, Boston need every extra possession they can get.

Boston play at a slow pace, opting to create through their stars in order to create opportunities. Little of their offence goes through their big men, but the efforts of Robert Williams and Tristan Thompson ranked them fourth in the NBA in offensive rebounds with 10.6 per game.

The Wizards don’t play big, looking to run-and-gun with their athleticism and shooting. The Celtics might be able to match their output, but they don’t want to get into an up-and-down battle with Washington.

Celtics Key Player: (F) Jayson Tatum

That pull up is so damn smooth. Jayson Tatum’s got it. (via @celtics) pic.twitter.com/uidgheLOvM

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2021

When it comes down to it, the Boston Celtics succeed as Jayson Tatum finds success – especially on the offensive end.

Tatum is a true star in the NBA, averaging 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. With Jaylen Brown out for the remainder of the season, Tatum’s workload just got larger.

The St. Louis native will come head-to-head with childhood friend Bradley Beal often in this matchup. Tatum will need to show that his defensive prowess is as reliable as his scoring against an explosive Wizards side.