The Wizards' Bradley Beal drives around the Celtics' Al Horford during a February 8 game in Washington, D.C. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Celtics blew a 13-point lead late in Sunday's six-point loss to the Hawks. It was a tough finish and Boston's third loss in its last four games after a six-game winning streak.
Jayson Tatum's C's will try to be better tonight when they visit the Wizards for their final road game of the regular season.
"We're not perfect," Tatum said. "There's a lot of things we need to work on. But I think the main focus for Brad is that, just make sure we're well-rested, and that we're ready for Saturday."
Tatum's averaging 18 points on 53 percent shooting his last 10 games.
This is a big one. With a win, the Celts can ensure they won't face the Wiz in the first round of the playoffs. With a loss, they'll still have to deal with those guys, the Heat, or the Bucks. Coach Brad Stevens has promised his regulars will play heavy minutes given the postseason implications.
Boston's lost two of three meetings with Washington this year, but they've all been determined by single-digits and required three overtime periods.
Wizards have lost their last four and eight of 10 to fall to eighth in the East, which currently would mean an opening-round date with the conference-leading Raptors.
Tipoff is Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports