The Boston Celtics Thrash the Sacramento Kings: 99-81

Jan 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass (30) drives the ball against Sacramento Kings power forward Thomas Robinson (0) during the second quarter at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics started off the post-ACL part of their season with a bang. They destroy the Sacramento Kings with an oddly working offense that did the trick. The offense uses the post as a feature instead of Rajon’s penetration. Is this a sustainable feature? We don’t know. Lets just focus on the here and now.

This game was a much needed one for the Celtics. It gives thema chance to flex their pride and skill against a team that’s obviously one of the weaker ones. More importantly, it gives them a blueprint of how things should be without Rondo on the floor. This offense is a totally different one. They play point guard by committee and they play from the free throw line down. The Celtics had just three makes form beyond the break tonight.

Starters

Courtney Lee: B-

Lee had only nine points on 3-8 shooting from the floor. He also had three assists to pitch in to the grand total of 22 for the team. What was most impressive from Lee was his activity on the defensive end on the floor. He stopped a lot of dribble penetration tonight. Its something that the Kings’ offense depends on and something that has killed the Celtics all year long.

Avery Bradley: B

Avery Bradley had 11 points on 5-11 shooting on the night. He only shot 1-5 from beyond the arch and contributed five rebounds to the 38 board effort tonight. He was impressive on the defensive end tonight and that’s what earned him his grade. He had a monster blcok early on in the game that will probably be on a lot of highlight shows tomorrow morning.

Paul Pierce: A

Pierce had his best night in a while. He wasn’t forcing things and looking for his shot, finishing the game with only nine shots. He scored 16 points on five makes, contributed four assists, and 10 rebounds as well. His total on the boards was the most impressive. He closed the game out in the fourth quarter for the C’s.

Jared Sullinger: Incomplete

Jared Sullinger got hurt early on in the game. He had trouble with back spasms–something that was a concern before the C’s drafted him–and only played four minutes tonight. Hopefully, nothing else develops from this and he’ll be able to return soon. We’ll keep  you posted.

Kevin Garnett: A+

Once again, Kevin Garnett does so much in so little possessions. In only 28 minutes Garnett finished with 13 points, five assists, and nine rebounds. He shot 6-10 from the field after setting the tempo for Boston early going 4-4 from the field in the first quarter. Garnett played inside and outside, facilitated, defended, and rebounded. I don’t think you could ask for much more of a complete game.

Sixth Man & Bench

Jason Terry: A

This was easily Terry’s greatest game as a Celtic. He went 5-7 from the field and provided 12 points from off the bench. He played a lot more on the ball which is really where he belongs. With Rondo out for the year, look for him to play more point guard and be more involved in the screen game. He provided four assists tonight as well.

Jeff Green: B

Jeff Green went 5-5 early on in the game and was making great decisions from out of the post. He provided the Celtics with 12 points from off the bench finishing  6-11 from the field.

Leandro Barbosa: C

Barbosa provided a nice effort off of the bench with seven points on 3-6 shooting. He didn’t really impact the game but he didn’t do much to hurt the effort either.

Brandon Bass: A+

Brandon Bass played a great game and played the most minutes out of anyone tonight. In the absence of Jared Sullinger, Bass stepped in beautifully playing 37 minutes tonight. He made 4-7 shots for 12 points and went 4-5 from the free throw line. He also provided the Celtics with four rebounds off the bench.

Chris Wilcox: A

Chris WIlcox played 17 minutes tonight and scored six points. He grabbed five rebounds and had three steals as well. His diving presence at the rim is something that the Celtics really needed to provide them with some offensive versatility.