National Basketball Association roundup: Irving keeps Celtics top in the East

While it seemed every National Basketball Association team had a big trade to announce just before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Celtics and Wizards chose to stay the course.

With the win, the Celtics retained their one game buffer in first place in the east over Toronto. The Raptors creeped into within a game of the No. 1 seed, owned by the 39-16 Celtics.

Afterward, Wright was asked whether he thought Stevens enjoyed watching the Raptors bench players perform during the game-changing second quarter. It was a very poor showing and not a good indicator for Boston moving forward.

Victor Oladipo, who missed his team’s loss to Washington on Monday night because of illness, was ready to play the game that wasn’t played Wednesday.

It was the Knicks’ first game without leading-scorer Kristaps Porzingis, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL in Tuesday’s loss to Milwaukee.

Also amusing: Monroe picked up a technical foul less than four minutes into his Celtics debut.

The game was close all the way throughout.

Washington lacked energy early and trailed by 17 points after the first quarter.

Trailing at halftime, they emerged from a tight third quarter with a five-point lead and stretched it to as many as 10 in the fourth.

The Wizards fought back late to put themselves in position to win after trailing by 10 with 5:23 to go. But Washington wasn’t playing poorly, they just weren’t knocking down shots. This was also the first time since January 12 that Beal committed fewer than 2 turnovers in a game. (11.9) and Markieff Morris (10.9). Calmly, Irving knocked down all three free throws, tying the game with 9.8 seconds left.

⦁ Deron Snyder writes his award-winning column for The Washington Times on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“It’s just when you have someone that’s able to come off the ball, dribble, create opportunities for everybody else, and also defensive-minded, I mean, it makes the game that much easier”.

And the Wizards without Wall are a more dedicated team, making extra passes and giving extra effort to ensure that everyone is involved and – to quote their new motto from the 2002 movie “Paid in Full” – “Everybody eats”.

Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving admits that, even as the Celtics sit atop the Eastern Conference, he finds himself daydreaming about a time when a healthy Gordon Hayward is back on the court for Boston.

Terry Rozier scored 18 points, Morris had 12 and Jaylen Brown 11 for the Celtics. Monroe played 20 minutes in his debut, scoring five points and grabbing six boards. Led by their other All-Star guard Bradley Beal, Washington fought back, but each rally was met by a 76ers key play or 3-pointer. The Georgetown product was photographed working out in Celtics gear on the school’s campus before Boston players engaged in optional off-day work.

Will the Indiana Pacers upset the Celtics tonight in Boston as a small underdog?