Boston is likely to earn the No. 2 seed in the East, but is focused on finishing the regular season strong.

Boston sends a message to a possible Eastern Conference finals opponent by crushing Milwaukee.

With nine minutes left, Coach Joe Mazzulla pulled the plug on his usual rotation and went with the deep reserves in search for a spark.

Washington cruises to a 130-111 as Boston falls 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference.

Jayson Tatum sits out, but Jaylen Brown picks up the slack with 41 points in a 137-93 blowout.

Danilo Gallinari, who signed with the Celtics last summer, tore the ACL in his left knee on Aug. 27 while playing for Italy.

Jaylen Brown scores 43 for Boston, which has lost 4 of 6.

Stoudamire has been Coach Joe Mazzulla’s top assistant this season for the Celtics.

Jayson Tatum scores 34 points and adds 15 rebounds in a 134-125 victory.