In the wake of a Domantas Sabonis already halfway to a triple-double after the first minutes of the match, the Kings got off to the best start (24-17). It takes 15 points from Jayson Tatum to keep the Celtics in the game after a quarter (32-30).
Boston’s defense then raises the tone and a 12-2 allows them to pass (42-39). Despite the 17 points of the duo De’Aaron Fox – Davion Mitchell, the best offense in the league is bogged down. The Kings lose five balls and shoot only 41% success, opening the door to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The two All-Stars go on the offensive and give the Celtics a six-point lead at the break (60-54).
Boston goes on to return from the locker room. The ball is circulating, the rhythm is there, and the Celtics are 7 of 12 from afar to take off. Derrick White’s third award-winning shot even gives them a 19-point lead (100-81)! Muzzled by the Boston defense, Fox and Sabonis are unable to revive their team. On the contrary, it is the Celtics who kill the match by passing a 19-4 to the Kings who push the gap to +27 (126-99)!
It’s the second straight loss for Sacramento, and it allows Memphis to take the break in the race for second place in the Western Conference. In the East, Boston does the same in its fight with the Sixers for this 2nd place.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Dress rehearsal before the playoffs for Joe Mazzulla. To end this six-game road trip, the Boston coach had decided to opt for a playoff rotation to bounce back from the heartbreaking defeat at Utah. He indeed trusted only eight players (Smart, White, Brown, Tatum, Horford, Grant and Rob Williams, Brogdon) before the “garbage time”. Note that this was the Celtics’ first full game in several weeks.
– A decisive adjustment on Domantas Sabonis. After a quarter, Sabonis already had 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists and was playing his role as the hub of the Sacramento attack wonderfully. The Celtics responded by taking the Lithuanian pivot much higher up the half-court and being more aggressive on him. The defensive help then arrived more quickly causing four stray balls from the Kings All-Star, who scored only 7 points in the last three quarters.
– The Kings lacked energy. For their second game in two days, the Kings suffered the aggression of the Celtics throughout the game. Like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who grew in power as the game progressed, Boston never took their foot off the accelerator. The Kings defense has always been one or two times behind, and on the other hand Fox and Sabonis have been limited to only eleven and twelve shots attempted.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown. The “Jays” dominated the proceedings tonight. They scored 36 and 27 points at 59% success, while being active and alert in defense.
✅ Derrick White. The fullback scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half. He was instrumental in this pivotal third quarter for Boston. He finished the game at 5/10 from three points, with 11 assists and 7 rebounds!
✅ ⛔Domantas Sabonis. The Kings pivot recorded his 12th triple-double of the season (16 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds) but lost 6 balls against the aggressive Boston defense. After a dominating first quarter, its impact gradually dissipated.
⛔ Malik Monk. The Kings shooter got through that night, finishing with 6 points at 1/7 on shots.
THE FOLLOWING
Sacramento (43-27) : reception of the Suns on Friday.
Boston (44-26) : reception of the Pacers on Friday.
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