Jayson Tatum dominated for the Boston Celtics with 50 points, eight rebounds and four assists as they responded from a half-time deficit with a 38-26 third quarter.
Tatum received good support from Kemba Walker who posted 29 points along with seven rebounds in Jaylen Brown’s absence.
Russell Westbrook exited the court prematurely, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in a below-par performance by his standards.
Bradley Beal had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists but his shooting let him down, finishing with 10-from-25 from the field.
The result means the Wizards will play the Indiana Pacers for the eighth seeding and right to face the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pacers were too good for the Charlotte Hornets earlier on Tuesday, winning 144-117.
But the Celtics’ prize for winning their play-in game appears a tough one, taking on the star-studded Nets who have Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving all at their disposal finally.
“Those guys are the best of the best and, going into that, if I’m a fan and just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose,” Celtic coach Brad Stevens said.
“We’re going to have to play great, we’re going to have to play great together, and we’re going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor.”