BOSTON — The one overriding observation hanging over Game 7 at TD Garden on Monday was not about which team would win. It was how could either team expect to mount a serious challenge to the awaiting, rampaging, well-rested Cleveland Cavaliers.
It will be the Boston Celtics who get that daunting assignment after surviving the winner-take-all affair, 115-105, against the Washington Wizards. With another clutch performance from Isaiah Thomas (29 points) and a where-did-that-come-from performance from Kelly Olynyk (26 points), the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2012.