Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings Preview

The underwhleming return of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks has already occurred but today is the date he truly has circled on his calendar as he returns to face the Boston Celtics. There was a time when Rondo was unquestioned as an elite point guard and he was a crucial piece in getting a championship in 2008. Rondo set records passing the ball with the Celtics and he became the focal point of the offense during Pierce and Garnett’s last years.

There is no doubting that Rondo’s best days were with the Celtics but by bringing in a new era they parted ways with Rondo. Rondo appears to be returning to his top form as he once again leads the league in assists but he is on a team that will not even consider the kind of success he had with Boston.

Rondo may have some regrets about being traded away from Boston. He flourished there and even if he is having success again with the Kings, it is nothing like being the go to guy for the Celtics. The Celtics, on the other hand, have absolutely no regrets about trading Rondo away. In addition to getting one of their top players in Jae Crowder in the trade, they have one of the strongest core of guards in the NBA.

Even with Marcus Smart sidelined with an injury, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas has been a deadly combo. Bradley has been much better than expected on the offensive end and Thomas has been much better than expected on the defensive end. Much of the Kings’ offense is generated through Rondo’s passing and Bradley and Thomas will both be responsible for disrupting them.

Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives around Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

This is a back court battle that the Celtics should be able to win. Their constant on ball pressure and off ball movement will make life incredibly hard for Rondo. The Celtics should be able to neutralize their ball movement and then it will come down to stopping DeMarcus Cousins, which is a much more difficult task. Jared Sullinger has been much improved this year and Amir Johnson has been solid but Cousins is on another level right now.

Cousins has the ability to blow this game up on the inside but if that is their only option then the Celtics will find a way to win. Cousins is likely to get good production inside but the Celtics have proven that they can rebound well and if they limit the Kings’ opportunities then Cousins will not be enough on his own.

Jared Sullinger is going to play a crucial role. He cannot be expected to out score Cousins but he needs to hold his own on the boards. Sullinger has been the Celtics’ best rebounder this season but Cousins’ athleticism presents a unique challenge to opposing bigs. Sullinger has proven that he can use his frame to neutralize superior athletes but tonight may be his biggest test yet.

The Celtics have established a pattern of inconsistency but they will look to break that tonight. The Celtics are coming off of one of their most impressive victories against the Miami Heat and even if the Kings are an easier opponens, the Celtics have struggled against even weaker ones this year.

The Celtics let the 76ers hang around and then even lost one to the Nets. The Kings are not dominant but the Celtics have proven that if they are off their game they will struggle to beat anyone.

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the Kings are tied for the 7th most turnovers per game this season and that is where the Celtics will have to attack. The Celtics have used their defense to get in transition against much better offenses than the Kings. If the Celtics can approach their peak of defensive activity then not only Rondo will be in for a tough return to Boston, but the Kings will be looking at their 13th loss of the season.

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