Jeff Green, Celtics hang on for 113-111 OT victory in Washington


Former Georgetown Hoya Jeff Green scored a season high 39 points (along with 9 rebounds and a career high 8-16 3PT FG) in his D.C. homecoming, helping the Celtics eek out a 113-111 win in the first overtime game of the season for Brad Steven's club.  Gerald Wallace (9 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals) made the game winning layup, driving to the hoop while playing point guard on the final possession.  Phil Pressey had just fouled out, and Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Jerryd Bayless were all inactive for Boston.

Following a script we're becoming quite familiar with, the Celtics surged out to a big early lead, holding a 61-43 advantage at halftime.  Other than Green the C's were led by Pressey (a career high 20 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 5-6 3PT FG, and one spectacular jump ball take away from John Wall) and Jared Sullinger (14 points, 11 rebounds).

Behind Wall's triple double (28 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) the Wizards came all the way back to tie the game at 81-81 with nine minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, then took their first lead, 88-87, with 6:37 left.  The two teams went back and forth for the remainder of the period, with Green missing a long three for the win at the end of regulation (followed by an errant jumper from Nene Hilario after the officials put 1.2 seconds back on the clock), sending the game to overtime at 99-99.

Five OT points for Green, a big baseline jumper from Sullinger, a huge three pointer by Pressey, and the winning layup by Wallace were enough for the Celtics to pull out the victory.


Follow Mark Vandeusen on twitter @LucidSportsFan