It was that bad.
The Celtics won by 45 points and the Kings set a franchise record for fewest field goals made with just 19 (according to the Kings announcers). Neither could either remember the Kings being down by 40 points at home…ever. It actually got to 48 points. Eddie House added 15 in 20 minutes, 7 of those after the game was well decided (which was by half time)
In an unperfect night for the Kings, Kevin Garnett led with 21 points on 10 of 11 shooting, followed by Ray Allen with 19 points on 7 of 8 shooting.
In a year of have and have nots, the Celtics move to 28-4 and the Kings to 7-24. The Celtics were coming off consecutive losses for the first time this season, and only their third and fourth all year coming into this game. They ‘have’ the talent and motivation and the Kings…’have not’.
A mediocre Kings club traded Ron Artest to Houston in the off season and then lost their only bonifide scoring threat, Kevin Martin to injury. A tough situation essentially became hopeless, Coach Theus was sent packing, and asst. Kenny Natt inherited the mess.
They have some talented young big men in 2nd year pro, 7′ Steve Hawes and rookie 6′ 11″ Jason Thompson. But both are raw and need more development, before thy can become impact players.
In a game that reminded me a bit of Friday night’s game against Golden State, the Kings played poorly but were still close after one period. The Celtics held them to 17 points on 6 of 24 shooting, shot .533 themselves, and out rebounded the Kings 16 to 9…. but were up only 6 points with just 23 points of their own.
But that became a fleeting thought as the lead quickly jumped up to 48-27 points with 3:46 left in the half on a 25 to 10 run capped by a Paul Pierce three pointer. The Kings rolled over and died after the first quarter, putting up about as much resistance as Sacramento High would.
Pierce had 12 points by half time, finishing with 13. Kendrick Perkins added 12 rebounds and 4 blocks with 7 points. Rondo had 6 assists. 4 points and a block in under 29 minutes.
Doc Rivers emptied the bench early and they outscored the depleted Sacramento team at every step of the way.
Tony Allen had 8 points and 4 steals in 24 minutes, while Patrick O’Bryant worked a sweet pass to a cutting Gabe Pruitt for a nice throwdown between two defenders. Leon Powe had 9 points and 6 rebounds in 14 minutes.
Speaking of Pruitt, he had 3 assists, 5 points, and a block in 12 minutes.
More Numbers
The Celtics finished shooting .519% while the Kings could only manage .279% on 19 of 68 attempts. The Celtics out rebounded the Kings 53 to 31 and out scored them in the paint 40 to 16.
Unusual Stat of the Night
Sacramento had just one player in double figures and that was John Salmons with but 11 points.
Next up: In Portland on Tuesday night
