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The Boston Celtics came to Washington dressed to eliminate a playoff foe, then denied it was intentional.

The all-black pregame attire would seem like a response to Washington dressing the same way before a Jan. 24th game against Boston a move prompted by a Jan. 11 game between the two teams that turned physical.

However, the Celtics denied they were all dressed the same on purpose ( via ESPN.com):

I think it just happened, that everybody just happened to be wearing it, maybe, Celtics guard Avery Bradley said. I dont know. Yeah, everybody just, I dont know. It wasnt planned. Kind of weird. I didnt notice it until people started saying something about it.

Really, I wear black every game, to be honest, said Bradley. So I dont know. [Terry Rozier] pointed it out to me. I didnt realize it.

Teammates at neighboring lockers struggled to stifle laughter as Gerald Green was grilled on the subject.

I had nothing to do with it, I swear, I dont know why youre asking me, I swear, Green said.

Boston coach Brad Stevens didn't get the memo (if the memo ever existed, wink-wink), as he arrived in a grey suit. When asked about the Celtics' sartorial decision, Stevens joked he wasn't on the players' group text chain by design.

At least one member of the franchise was willing to admit to doing something on purpose on Friday night.

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