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Wizards-Celtics Preview

Apr 8, 2010 - 5:16 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Washington (24-54) at Boston (49-29), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Whether they finish in third or fourth place, the Boston Celtics will have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They may be doubting whether opening at TD Garden will end up helping.

With the postseason quickly approaching, the Celtics look to build some momentum at home as they face the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

Boston (49-29) is tied with Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference, with four games remaining for each team. The Celtics will finish no lower than fourth, giving them home-court advantage for at least the first round.

Though Boston beat league-leading Cleveland 117-113 at TD Garden on Sunday, it hasn't been as sharp there as in past years. The Celtics had lost three straight at home and are 24-15 after losing 12 over the previous two seasons.

Boston will conclude the season at home versus Milwaukee, a potential first-round opponent.

The Celtics have won two of three overall following their skid at TD Garden, winning 115-104 at Toronto on Wednesday night.

Veteran guards Ray Allen and Michael Finley had a combined 34 points, with Finley making three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

"When Ray and Michael get it going at the same time and they're both on the floor, that makes us really good because we can still pound the ball down low and affect the other team's ability to take the low-post game away because they're so worried about the guys out on the perimeter," coach Doc Rivers said.

Finley almost didn't play after straining his back while picking up his luggage at the team hotel. He is 15 for 30 from beyond the arc in 17 games since joining Boston.

"He's a pro's pro," Rivers told the Celtics' official Web site. "He's just so solid. He's such a great guy in the locker room."

Boston has won six straight against Washington (24-54).

The Wizards had been playing well, winning three of four before losing 121-94 to Orlando on Wednesday night. Washington missed a chance to win three straight for the first time in two years.

Al Thornton returned after missing the previous seven games with a strained hip. Thornton, acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team trade Feb. 17, was held scoreless in 12 minutes off the bench.

Washington got 21 points from 2007 first-round pick Nick Young. He has started six straight games and is averaging 22.0 points over his last three.

"He has played well," coach Flip Saunders said. "He has been playing with confidence. He has been trying to play within the system and taking good shots."

Young has been joined in the backcourt by Shaun Livingston, another bright spot for the Wizards. Livingston, selected by the Clippers with the fourth overall pick in 2004, averaged 16.8 points in four games before being held to seven Wednesday.

Livingston went through two 10-day contracts before being signed for the rest of the season March 19.