WASHINGTON — This time the Celtics actually paid for their season-long habit of bad starts against Washington.
In a game decided by the end of the first quarter, they lost Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to Washington Thursday night, 116-89.
The Wizards are averaging 39.6 points in first quarter scoring after their 39-17 start, fleshed out by a debilitating 22-0 run that knocked the Celtics into an inescapable hole.
The Celtics’ series lead was thus cut to 2-1. Neither team has won on the other’s floor this season, let alone the playoffs. Game 4 is Sunday night.