It was a well-designed play by Brad Stevens, but, even more, a good recognition by Jae Crowder and a fantastic pass by Marcus Smart that gave Boston the game winner Saturday night.
As good as that play was, there was the surprise at the other end of John Wall missing a layup that could have tied it after he had sped coast-to-coast for the chance. Kelly Olynyk makes Wall alter the shot, but it is still makeable (Wall is shooting an above-average 62 percent in the restricted area this season. It didn’t fall this time.
With the win Boston remains the eight seed in the East and is now two games up on the Wizards for that final playoff spot.