WASHINGTON -- Kelly Olynyk stole the limelight on Monday night,scoring 29 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Wizards, 115-105, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the sold-out TD Garden.
The 7-foot Olynyk made 10 of 14 shots, including a pair of 3s, as Boston erased a 79-78 third quarter deficit and stormed to a 91-84 lead with just ten minutes left in the fourth quarter.
"We needed it. We need to help out our starters, help out Isaiah (Thomas)," a jubilant Olynyk told the Associared Press after the Celtics punched a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals against the defending NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers, who have been off for nine days.
Even with the Wizards defense zeroed on him, Thomas acquitted himself well, finishing with 29 points while setting up teammates with 12 assists. Al Horford and Jae Crowder also played big for Boston, combining for 29 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics shot 53.2 percent from the field and 42.3 from the 3-point arc. They were beaten off the boards, 43-31, but Boston made more assists, 27-18. The Celtics also took good care of the ball, spitting out only 8 turnovers against Washington's 15.
Bradley Beal had easily his best playoffs performance with 38 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the field, but John Wall, the heartbeat of the Wizards' offense registered just 18 points and 11 assists while missing 15 of 23 shots. Wall made only 1-of-8 three-point attempts and stumbled with three turnovers.
The No.1 seeded Celtics have little time to celebrate Game 7's heart-pounding win as the second-seeded Cavaliers invade the TD Garden for Game 1 of their title series on Wednesday night (Thursday AM in Manila).
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