BOSTON – It was testy at times, feisty as ever and included a couple technical fouls being called.
Just another Boston-Washington game, one in which the Celtics go into the half ahead 58-47.
Boston’s control of the first half really didn’t begin until there was a dust-up involving Terry Rozier, Brandon Jennings and Kelly Oubre Jr.
It led to a video review which determined that double techs were in order for Rozier and Oubre Jr., and a foul against Jennings.
At the time of the incident, the score was tied at 37.
The Celtics scored the next six points which included a long 2-pointer by Isaiah Thomas (the tip of his toe was on the 3-point line) that led to a Wizards time-out with 6:19 to play in the half.
Boston continued to surge ahead with their lead peaking at 11 points (53-42) following a pair of free throws by Thomas who was back in the lineup after missing two games with a knee bruise.
Boston Celtics
The control Boston displayed in the second quarter was in stark contrast to how the game was played in the first quarter which featured strong runs by both teams.
First there was the Wizards breaking open an 8-all tie with an 11-4 surge leading to a Celtics time-out with 6:19 to play.
Boston came out of the time-out playing a different, more effective brand of basketball resulting in 10 straight points that put them ahead 22-19.
The rest of the quarter was a tightly played contested that ended with Boston ahead 30-28 following a put-back basket by Avery Bradley.
Here are the Stars, Studs and Duds from the first half of Monday night’s game between Boston and Washington.
STARS
Avery Bradley
A defensive wiz most nights, Avery Bradley delivered a serious blow to Washington with his scoring, too. He led the Celtics with 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Bradley Beal
He leads all scorers with 15 points, but he’s had to work hard for it tonight.
Jae Crowder
He had a great two-minute stretch in the first half where he was the best player on the floor. He goes into the half with 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting with five rebounds.
STUDS
Kelly Olynyk
We’ve seen Olynyk have some good nights on the boards, but never like this … in one half? He has three points to go with a game-high eight rebounds.
Brandon Jennings
He gave the Wizards a nice offensive jolt in the first half with seven points on 2-for-4 shooting.
Isaiah Thomas
Having the weekend off has left him a little rusty (2-for-7 shooting), but he’s still managing to make his presence felt. He has nine points along with four assists and three rebounds.
DUDS
John Wall
The All-Star guard has been all dud in the first half, scoring five points on 2-for-6 shooting.