Wizards vs. Celtics final score: Washington backs up big talk in 123-108 win

John Wall (27) and Bradley Beal (31) combined for 58 points as the Wizards took down the Celtics in the #FuneralGame, 123-108. Markieff Morris overcame a slow start to score 19 points while Marcin Gortat chipped in with 16 as the Wizards win their 14th straight game at the Verizon Center.

Washington blistered the nets to start this game knocking down their first six shots and connected on their first two three-pointers. Bradley Beal found his stroke as he hit his first three field goals of the quarter. John Wall’s jumper looked as confident as ever as he hit two fadeaways from the elbow as well as a fadeaway shot off the glass to end the quarter.

The Wizards shot 74 percent in the first quarter and ended the period on a 7-0 run to take a 33-24 lead.

Boston scrapped their way back into this game behind the play of Isaiah Thomas. He scored nine points in the second quarter from all spots on the court. He was able to get in the lane, scored over bigger guys when switches on the perimeter occurred, and even knocked down a three a solid six feet behind the three-point line.

After Boston cut the lead to three with just 1:10 to play in the half, Wall knocked down a straight-away three and finished a layup over Horford as the Wizards used a mini 6-0 run to end the quarter and take a 66-59 lead at halftime.

It looked like things would get chippy when Jae Crowder and Markieff Morris got tangled up while boxing out for a free throw. Morris was assessed a technical foul, but cooler heads prevailed and nothing would escalate the rest of the game.

The Celtics were able to get as close as seven down the stretch, but 13 fourth quarter points from Bradley Beal put that to rest. Wall posterized Olynyk for the cherry on top as the Wizards backed up their funeral talk and beat Boston 123-108.

Picture perfect first quarter

The Wizards played arguably their most efficient quarter of the season, at least offensively, to open the game. John Wall’s fadeaway jumper was on point as he hit two from the right elbow and one off the glass to end the quarter.

The Wizards shot a smoking hot 74 percent from the field (14-19) and 57 percent (4-7) from three-point range in the period.

Red hot shooting

Six Wizards players, yes six, shot 50 percent or better from the field tonight (outside of the guys who scored when the bench was cleared). Everyone had it going. Gortat was 7-8 from the field, Wall was 11-20, and Bradley Beal connected on 12-18 shots for a game-high 31 points.

Wizards walk the walk

When the Wizards first said they were going to dress in all black prior to this game, I found it kind of silly. But Washington came out with an edge and you could see it from the get-go. The Wizards wanted revenge and played like it. They were focused, played with tenacity, and welcomed the spotlight. I’m not ready to call this a rivalry as the two teams haven’t met in the playoffs but one thing is clear; the Wizards don’t like this Boston team.

The Wizards never trailed in this game.