WASHINGTON -- The NBA regular season is early but getting late quick for the Washington Wizards, who are struggling defensively and set to face the top two contenders in the Eastern Conference.That stretch starts with Wednesdays home matchup with the Boston Celtics (3-3) before the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers visit two days later. Thats a tough task for Washington (1-5), which that has lost two straight after dropping a 114-106 setback against Houston on Monday.Of course, the Celtics havent quite clicked yet this season. Boston enters having lost two straight by allowing an average of 125.5 points in that span.The Rockets sank 17 3-pointers and pulled away from the Wizards with a 12-0 run midway through the fourth quarter fueled by James Harden. Washington ranks 27th in 3-point defense and has lost its way late in each of its setback.I thought we came out with good defensive intensity that gave us that early lead, Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. Then in order to win an NBA basketball game, you have to do it for 48 minutes, and we have not been able to put it together in its entirety. Defensive disposition is the No. 1 thing that you have to continue to focus on. We have talked about it enough and now we have to do it.The Celtics fell 123-107 to the Denver Nuggets Sunday night in their third straight game without center Al Horford, who remains in the NBAs concussion program.He has not advanced in the protocol from what Ive been told, Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters on Monday. He has not gotten any deeper than that.The addition of Horford, a multi-time All-Star, to a team that won 48 games last season had many projecting Boston as the primary threat to Cleveland. Perhaps those high expectations have led to the sideways start. The Celtics are fourth with 110.2 points per game, but rank 28th in scoring defense (111.8).The Nuggets led 42-23 after the first quarter and shot 52.4 percent from the field.Were not as good as we thought we were, Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas told reporters Sunday. When we dont come out with a sense of urgency, were not a good team, and thats what happened tonight.The Wizards started strong against the Rockets, but as was the case in previous losses, faded down the stretch.Nobody is happy. Everyones emotions are a little high, guard Bradley Beal said. Everybody is mad. We are 1-5. We did not expect it to be like this. We just have to figure it out.That wont be easy in this matchup. The Celtics won the series 4-0 last season with three victories by at least 20 points.Beal, Otto Porter and John Wall, who was ejected with 33 seconds left for picking up his second technical foul, each scored at least 20 points in Mondays loss. Washington retooled its bench this past offseason, but have yet to find consistency beyond its starting five. Marshon Lattimore Jersey . Michell Burger, a woman who lives on an estate next to Pistorius gated community, said she and her husband were awoken by the screams in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14 last year, when Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp by shooting four times through a door in his bathroom. Larry Warford Jersey . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom-ken-stabler-jersey-large-1092e.html . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Hokie Gajan Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Carl Nicks Jersey . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night.Scotlands last-gasp win over Argentina at the weekend has moved them up to seventh in the new World Rugby rankings. It is Vern Cotters sides highest position since September 2011, which sees them climb above France and Argentina, and should ensure a better seeding in next years draw for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Greig Laidlaws penalty in added on time secured a hard fought 19-16 win over the Pumas at Murrayfield on Saturday, with the South American side now slipping to ninth in the rankings. Scotland take on Georgia at Rugby Park on Saturday in their last Test match before hosting Ireland in their Six Nations opener on February 4. Sky Sports Rugby Podcast Will Greenwood reviews week three of the autumn internationals If they can maintain their new position they should avoid having to take on two major nations in the opening pool phase of the World Cup, with the draw set to take place in May.Ireland, who recently beat New Zealand for the first time in 111 years, are the other big movers in the top 10 as they leapfrog South Africa into fourth spot. England vs Argentina November 26, 2016, 1:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Joe Schmidts side host Australia on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2.ddddddddddddThe top three sides all remain the same, with the All Blacks in first place, followed by England and then Australia in third spot. Wales remain sixth, while Fiji, who were beaten 58-15 by England at Twickenham on Saturday, round out the top 10. Highlights of Englands Autumn International clash against Fiji at Twickenham Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Laidlaw: Scots didn’t panic Maitland hails ‘X factor’ Scots Kruis recalled by England Two All Blacks cited ' ' '