NBA: Celtics cruise past Wizards in Game 7 to Eastern Conference finals

Isaiah Thomas scored 29 points and had 12 assists, Kelly Olynyk scored a career playoff high 26 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 115-105 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday. (Photo: Isaiah Thomas/ Facebook)

WASHINGTON–Isaiah Thomas scored 29 points and had 12 assists, Kelly Olynyk scored a career playoff high 26 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 115-105 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday.

Celtics advances to the Eastern Conference finals, where it will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Wednesday.

“Everyone gave their best tonight and it turned out well,” Olynyk said. “It was a team effort, hard work. It was a tough seven-game series. Both teams played hard, we outlasted them there. They are a great team. They made big shots all series.”

Boston got 15 points, six rebounds and five assists from Al Horford. 13 points, six rebounds and four assists form Marcus Smart. Bradley Beal scored a game-high 38 points for the Wizards, including 24 in the second half. Otto Porter added 20 points. John Wall and Markieff Morris each finished with 18.

“I hate losing, especially when we feel like we were a better team. This definitely hurts the most,” Beal said after the loss.

Boston trailed 76-72 late in the third quarter before ending the period on a 13-3 run, which was expanded to 22-5 in the opening minutes of the fourth as the Celtics’ lead became 94-81. But Wizards scored seven straight in just 51 seconds to get back within six before Olynyk taking over as he scored 11 of 13 points for the Celtics to stretch their lead to 110-100.

“Kelly was the MVP tonight,” Thomas said, “I’m definitely going to enjoy it until tomorrow. We’ve got to get ready for the defending champs. Good thing about it, we’ve got homecourt advantage.”