The set-up: Many felt that Boston was the weakest No. 1 seed in many years and even possibly, the weakest No. 1 seed ever. Boston promptly lost the first two games of its first round series to the 41-41 Chicago Bulls but received a reprieve, when Chicago PG Rajon Rondo broke his thumb. That 'broke' Chicago's momentum and 'backs,' as the Celtics became just the fourth team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games at home by winning four straight. The Celtics now move on to face the fourth-seeded Washington Wizards, who are coming off beating the Atlanta Hawks in six games. Those teams each 'held serve' in the first four games of their series, before Washington won a close Game 5 at home. The Wizards ended that series in style, taking Game 6 in Atlanta, 115-99. The Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics split four games (home teams won all meetings) during the regular season and these teams truly don't like each other. The games were nasty with that nastiness even threatening to pour off the court, as members of the Boston police stood in the hallway between the locker rooms after one game. Washington star SG Bradley Beal had his team arrive for a Jan. 24 meeting in all black clothes.However, now it's time to play.

Washington: The Wizards own an excellent starting-five, with all averaging in double digits during the regular season. Guards Wall and Beal are the stars and in the series against Atlanata, carried the etam. Wall averaged 29.5 PPG (and 10.3 APG) and Beal 25.8. However, the drop-off was considerable, as forwards Morris averaged 11.2 PPG and Porter 9.8 PPG, while center Gortat scored just 6.5 PPG, although he did average 10.7 RPG. Sixth-man Bogdanovich was a key component after being acquired from the Nets but shot poorly in the series with Atlanta (39.1%) and averaged three point fewer than he did in the regular season. Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday's closeout game at Atlanta and Beal averaged 30 points in the last three games of the series. However, Washington will need much more than just Wall and Beal to get past Boston.

Boston: All-Star PG Isaiah Thomas has been dealing with personal tragedy during the first round and will head home to Tacoma, Wa. between games on Sunday, for his sister's funeral. He averaged 28.9 points in the regular season but watched his shooting numbers take a dip as he averaged 23 points in the six games against Chicago and went a combined 3-of-26 from three-point range in the final three games of the series. However, Boston's other players picked up their leader in winning four in a row. "I was really proud of our guys for how they treated each other, how they stood together, stuck together, and how nobody pointed fingers," head coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "They were just a great support network for one another, and especially for Isaiah."over the final four games. A key move was made by Stevens, benching Amir Johnson and "going small' with Gerald Green, who after totaling just six minutes off the bench in the first two contests, started the final four games (all Boston wins) and averaged 11.0 points in 20.5 minutes.

The pick: Intensity will be running high in this first game and I expect a low scoring one. Wall was held to 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four meetings with Boston in the regular season and Washington reserve guard Kelly Oubre Jr. has done a good job defending Thomas this season. Expect him to see extra "PT" in this series. Make the Under an 8* play 10* in this Game 1.