Celtics Take Game 7 Over Wizards

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have earned the right to take on the defending-champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA's Eastern Conference finals.

The Celtics did it with a Game 7 victory last night as Isaiah Thomas and Kelly Olynyk led them past the Washington Wizards, 115-105. Thomas got hot late in the second half and finished with 29 points and 12 assists. Olynyk added a career playoff-high 26 points and helped Boston's bench outscore the Wizards' reserves 48-5.

The Celtics trailed 76-72 late in the third period before reeling off a 22-5 spurt that put them ahead 94-81 in the fourth quarter. Boston also shot 8-for-13 from 3-point range in the second half and drained 11 treys overall.

The Wizards lost despite outrebounding the Celts 48-31. Bradley Beal scored 24 of his game-high 38 points in the second half, while Otto Porter finished with 20 for Washington.

The Wizards still haven't advanced past the second round since the 1979 Finals.

The Celtics get just one day off before hosting the Cavs. Cleveland is well rested following back-to-back four-game sweeps.