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Most nights for the Boston Celtics, you can count on the starters save the center position getting between 35-39 minutes a game. But because of perhaps their age and coach Doc Rivers’ quest to keep them as fresh as possible for their inevitable visit to the playoffs, he will sometimes limit their minutes.

Wednesday night would be one of those nights as the Celtics hosted the Washington Wizards and Rivers opted to not use his normal starters as heavily as he would do at any other time.

Ray Allen played just 23 minutes while Paul Pierce logged in 27 and Kevin Garnett played only 23. But probably because Bsoton’s opponent was the Wizards, this would prove to benefit the men in green as the bench made what was looked upon as a mismatch into a rout as Boston annihilated Washington 114-83 at TD Garden.

But to be fair here, the Wizards were without their star rookie John Wall, due to injury. But even if Wall had played, the end result wouldn’t have been that markedly different.

The Celtics trailed early on at 12-9 before scoring 12 of the game’s next 13 points, including 3 consecutive baskets by Shaquille O’Neal. The Wizards did reduce their deficit to three in the second quarter against Washington’s bench, but Boston’s starters returned and would score 12 straight, with Garnett scoring three baskets during that run. He would add a long-range jumper just before the horn to give the Celtics a 60-44 lead at halftime.

Things would not get any better for the Wizards as the Celtics increased their cushion to 89-69 after three quarters and coasted for the last 12 minutes, icing the game at that point.

Six Celtics scored in double-digits, led by Pierce with 23 points (including 3 three-pointers), 3 rebounds and 2 assists while Garnett added 18 with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Rajon Rondo notched yet another double-double, scoring 12 with 13 assists.

The Wizards’ Nick Young was the team’s high scorer, coming off the bench to score 20 points along with a rebound and a steal while Al Thornton chipped in 15 with a rebound and a block. JaVale McGee, despite scoring only 8, grabbed 10 boards and blocked a pair of shots.

Boston (9-2) plays again on Friday night as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder while Washington (3-7) returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies – also on Friday night.