John Wall hit an off-balance 3-pointer in the final minute as the Washington Wizards survived a slow start en route to an 86-83 victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

The loss snapped the Celtics’ five-game winning streak and was not an impressive first outing in a stretch in which five of their next six games are on the road, including a brutal four-game West Coast trip.

After trailing by 16 in the first quarter, Washington started chipping away at a sluggish Celtics team. Wall converted a fast-break layup with 2 ½ minutes left to give Washington its first lead, 81-79.

Glen Davis countered with a layup with 1:21 left to tie. With the shot clock down to three seconds on the Wizards’ next possession, Wall banked home a desperation 3-pointer from the right wing with 57.7 seconds to play.

Kevin Garnett converted a reverse layup with 41 seconds left and then Rajon Rondo stripped Wall, setting up Boston for the last shot.

The Celtics cleared out for Pierce, who shook Andray Blatche and took his patented step-back jumper from the right wing with 2.5 seconds left, but it hit off the back iron. Wall rebounded, was fouled and split two free throws to ice it.

Rashard Lewis scored 18 points and Wall added 16 and four assists.