"The grinding at TD Garden could be heard throughout the region last night. The Celtics were a step slow, turnover prone, and heavy legged after polishing off the Washington Wizards Sunday night in the nation's capital. Their aging bodies were in for a taxing evening in a rematch with the young pups.

Unlike many occasions last season, when the Celtics dropped ragged decisions in the second games of back-to-backs, they managed enough strength and execution to stave off Washington's persistent rallies and the catalyst was their oldest player, 36-year-old Ray Allen."