Game Info

When: Friday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington

Injury Report

Wizards: Russell Westbrook (Finger, Day-to-day)

Celtics: Jeff Teague (Ankle, Day-to-day), Javonte Green (Medical protocols, Day-to-day), Kemba Walker (Knee, Out), Romeo Langford (Wrist, Out), Robert Williams (Health and Safety protocols, Out), Grant Williams (Health and Safety protocols, Out), Tristan Thompson (Health and Safety protocols, Out)

Pregame notes

The Washington Wizards (2-6) are taking on the Boston Celtics (6-3) in their final matchup of their four-game road trip before heading back to the nation’s capital. It will be the first time the Boston and Washington pay each other this season.

Looking back at Wednesday’s game

Despite Bradley Beal’s career-high 60 points, the Wizards were unable to beat Philadelphia Wednesday night. The 76ers, who were led by Joel Embiid and Seth Curry, shot 60% from the field and to make things even worse for Washington, they put up 82 points in the first half alone.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown must be contained

Boston’s young duo are having their best seasons yet. Tatum is averaging a career high across the board with 26.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Brown is also avergaing a career-high 26.9 points and 3.1 assists per game. Given Washignton’s defensive track record, they probably won’t be able to stop Brown and Tatum but perhaps they might be able to contain one of them. Anything is possible, right?

It’s important to note that Washington has shown some glimpses of improved defense this season. This time, they will need to have a far better defensive game plan than they did against the 76ers Wednesday. The Wizards have worked their way back from deficits recently but its imperative that they have a sense of urgency and agreesivness from start to finish. One thing we know for certain — the Celtics, especially Tatum, can score in the clutch. The Wizards need to avoid close-game situations with the Celtics at all costs.