By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
WASHINGTON These are the kind of games that are kind of scary if you're the Boston Celtics.
Yes, the Boston Celtics (33-9) have the best record in the Eastern Conference.
And the Washington Wizards (12-29) arethe Washington Wizards.
You can break down their struggles on many levels, but easily one of their biggest problems has been their inability to finish games strong.
Washington comes into tonight's game having been outscored in the fourth quarter in each of their last seven games, the longest such streak in the NBA.
That helps explain why they spend so much time in Loser's lounge, while the C's keep throwing back one big win after another.
Boston Celtics
Boston comes into tonight's game with a five-game winning streak, a streak that includes them outscoring each of those teams in the fourth quarter which by the way, is the longest such current streak in the NBA.
As impressive as the C's ability to close out teams has been, equally important to their success has been starting off fast.
During its current five-game winning streak, the Celtics have finished the first quarter leading by an average of 4.4 points per game.
"When our starters get off to a good start, that helps us a lot," said C's swingman Marquis Daniels. "It makes our job a lot easier. All we have to do is just keep what they started, going."
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn.