Celtics top Wizards, 88-76, behind Bradley's 23 points

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BOSTONNo Ray Allen. No Mickael Pietrus.

Not a problem apparently for the Boston Celtics, who got a much-needed lift from their reserves in defeating Washington, 88-76.

For the C's, no player made the most of the opportunity to play more due to injuries, than Avery Bradley.

Primarily a defensive stopper, Bradley has steadily improved his perimeter shooting this season.

That, along with timely cuts to the basket for lay-ups, led to a career-high 23 points on Sunday.

In fact, Bradley's 15 first-quarter points were actually more than the entire Wizards team had in the first (12).

It wasn't until a lay-up by Kevin Seraphin with 8:01 to play in the second quarter did Washington finally have more points scored then Bradley.

His play certainly set the tone for the Celtics to take a commanding 53-34 lead at the half. But the C's have been known to squander a lead or two, and Sunday was no different.

Boston, which led by as many as 25 points, saw its lead cut to as little as eight points in the third.

During a time-out, C's coach Doc Rivers was clearly upset with his team not being able to put away a Washington team that had no business being so close.

"Be right! Play right! That's all you gotta do!" Rivers said.

That's exactly what the C's did as they were able to push their lead back to a comfortable double digit margin, 69-55, after three quarters of play.

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