Tip-off: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET
Line: Washington -4.5, Total: 217

The Wizards will be hoping to even up the series with the Celtics on Sunday.

The Celtics looked to be smooth sailing after winning the first two games of this series in Boston, but things took a rather dramatic turn on Thursday. Not only did Washington win Game 3 at home, but the team did so in dominant fashion. The Wizards won that one 116-89 as 5.5-point favorites, and the team led big pretty much from the opening tip. While they are still trailing in the series, the momentum in this series very well could have changed in that one. It wouldn’t be surprising to see these teams head back to Boston in a 2-2 series. One trend that suggests that won’t happen is the fact that Boston is 13-3 ATS after allowing 105 points or more in three straight games over the past three seasons. Washington, however, is 16-6 ATS in home games when playing only its second game in five days over the past two seasons. While nobody in this series is likely to miss this game with an injury, it is likely that SF Kelly Oubre Jr. will be out for this one. He should be suspended after knocking over an opposing player at a dead ball, and it is a big loss for a Wizards team that already lacks depth.

The Celtics did not respond after being knocked down early in the first quarter and they are going to need to make some adjustments heading into Game 4. One guy that will need to be a lot better in this one is PG Isaiah Thomas (26.3 PPG, 5.7 APG; all player stats in postseason). Thomas had just 13 points on eight shots in Game 3, and the Celtics need him to be a lot more aggressive in Game 4. He had 53 points on 33 shots in Game 2 and that is the type of aggressiveness the Celtics need from their star. Thomas also needs to dig in on the defensive end, as Wall really got the best of him last game. C Al Horford (16.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) must also be better in this game. Horford shot the ball well in Game 3, going 5-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-5 from three. He did, however, grab only two rebounds. That is not acceptable for somebody his size, and he needs to be better on the glass. SG Avery Bradley (15.0 PPG) must also be better, as he was a -25 on the floor on Thursday.

The Wizards are riding high after their win on Thursday and PG John Wall (29.0 PPG, 11.0 APG, 1.9 SPG) continues to play at a high level for Washington. He had 24 points and eight dimes in Game 3, playing superb basketball on both ends of the floor. If he can play the type of defense on Thomas that he did last game then this series should be all tied heading back to Boston. Not only did Wall play well, but his whole starting five came to play in that game. While nobody scored 20 besides Wall, all five starters hit double digits. SF Otto Porter (11.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG) had 19 points and eight boards in that game. He is the one that stood out and it’d be big if he can play the same brand of two-way ball that he has all season on Sunday. The Wizards also need a big game from SG Bradley Beal (23.0 PPG), who has shot worse than 40.0% from the field in two straight games.