John Wall went 4-of-5 from deep and scored a game-high 29 points as the Wizards snapped their four-game losing streak with an emphatic 113-101 victory over the Celtics on Tuesday night. Bradley Beal added 19 points and Markieff Morris scored 13 in the Wizards’ last home game of the regular season.

Jaylen Brown came out scorching hot for the Celtics to start the game. The second-year player made six of his first nine shots, including a 5-for-7 start on 3-point attempts. He racked up 21 points in the first quarter alone as he tried to become the first ever #WizardsKiller to have his jersey retired after one quarter.

Washington locked in defensively in the second quarter which changed the dynamic of the game. After giving up six threes in the first quarter, the Wizards held Boston to just seven the rest of the game. Outside of a minor stretch in the third quarter in which Boston got several second chance-opportunities, the Wizards controlled the glass out-rebounding the Celtics 51-44.

The Wizards slowly took control in this game in the second half but really blew things open in the fourth quarter. Washington went on a 13-5 run to start the period that put the game out of reach and allowed the Wizards to win comfortably.

Washington’s victory ensures they stay within striking distance of the Bucks and Heat in the East standings. They’re still currently in eighth place but can move up as high as sixth depending on how things play out on the final night of the season on Wednesday.

Takeaways

John Wall is still too quick

Other parts of John Wall’s game clearly aren’t fully back but speed isn’t one of them.

With just 3.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter, John Wall scooped up an inbounds pass right in front of the Wizards bench and sprinted from end to end drawing a foul with 0.4 seconds left on the clock.

No one thought Wall would be 100 percent, but the fact that he’s already got his best asset ramped up, his speed, is a very good sign for the Wizards; enough so that he was chasing down blocks and jumping into the crowd for loose balls.

Wall had his bounce tonight and looked to push the ball all evening. His midrange jumper wasn’t falling but that didn’t prevent him from attacking the hole. He was able to earn seven free throws in the first half and finished with nine for the game. His run outs also resulted in some wide-open jumpers in transition and a few showtime opportunities.

He had a few too many turnovers tonight (7), but Washington would surely welcome this John Wall in the playoffs.

Game Notes

• Otto Porter scored 12 points in the first half but didn’t return in the second half due to a lower leg injury. Scott Brooks said after the game he’s doubtful for Wednesday’s game.
• Mike Scott provided a nice scoring punch off the bench with 12 points on 6-9 shooting

Next up: The Wizards finish the regular season in Orlando on Wednesday night as they take on the Magic at 8 p.m.