The Kings Smite the Celtics 118-96

Dec 30, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) attempts a shot during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Boston Celtics 118-96. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the Sacramento game, I think many felt that this could be a nice setting in which Boston could start a winning streak to help lift the C’s after there less than stellar start to the season. However the Kings did win their last game steadily against the Carmelo-less Knicks. This could be a deciding game to see if the Celtics are legit contenders. The best teams need the easy wins because the road will only get worse.

The game started out competitive with both the Celtics and Kings play very good defense and shot often being made once every possessions. However the Kings got a huge boost from their point guard Isaiah Thomas which propelled the Kings to a ten point lead with about a minute left in the first quarter. The Celtics were getting their scoring from Jeff Green who led them in first quarter scoring with five points. The Celtics trimmed the lead and the score after the first frame was 24-18 Kings.

The start of the second quarter was all-Celtics. They scored eight unanswered points capped off by a Terry pair of free throws. However the Kings would respond under the hot shooting of John Salmons who after the second quarter had  11 points all of which came from the second frame. The Celtics kept answering all the Kings’ shot with the great play by Jeff Green who also had double digits heading into halftime with 14 points. The score at halftime was 49-54 Sacramento following a KG buzzer beater.

However in the third quarter things were slowly falling apart for the Celtics. The trio of Jason Thompson, Salmons and Thomas were all making shots and it was hard even for the Celtic’s defense to contain the outside shooting and to stop the often easy and open shots they were getting. However Rondo kept the game close with five assists in the quarter. However even then, the score heading the last quarter was 84-73 Sacramento.

The fourth quarter really didn’t change much as the Celtics again were struggling on offense. Pierce and Terry, the usual suspects, were the only ones able to hit shots in the frame. The young point guard of the Kings, Isaiah Thomas, was just making every shot, even hitting on a four-point play. After that play, even Doc Rivers knew it wasn’t the Celtics’ night. The game seemed pretty much over and the Kings won 118-96.

The Boston Celtics have now lost three in a row in what were really not close competition. Something needs to the change for the Celtics as they head back to Boston to face one of the best teams in the league, the Memphis Grizzlies.

Notes:

Isaiah Thomas had in total 27 points.

Demarcus Cousins recorded his first triple double with 12 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Pierce and Terry each had 20 points to lead the Celtics in scoring.