Kings vs. Celtics Preview: Sweep the Champs

The Kings are back in action today to take on the defending champion Boston Celtics.  The Kings already managed to beat the defending champs once this season, but can they do it again and sweep Boston?

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Monday, March 24th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

Sacramento’s 114-97 victory over Boston back in early January was one of the highlights of the season, the 6th win in a row for a Kings team that clawed their way back to .500 under new head coach Doug Christie.  Now, 32 games later, the Kings face the Celtics again and are still right at .500 and only 1.5 games against of the Suns and Mavericks for the final Play-In spot.  While it seems improbable that both Phoenix and Dallas (especially Dallas) would be able to pass the Kings in the standings, it’s not out of the question, especially given how difficult Sacramento’s remaining schedule is.  The Kings are coming off two straight games in which they gave up double-digit first half leads only to eventually lose, and those types of losses could come back to haunt them.

The Celtics are solidly in 2nd in the East, but they are entering tonight’s game a bit banged up.  Jaylen Brown has missed the last few games with a bone bruise in his knee and is questionable for tonight’s game.  Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis also both missed yesterday’s game against the Trail Blazers but could be back in action tonight.  For the Kings, Devin Carter and Malik Monk are both questionable due to illness, but Domantas Sabonis could be making a return from injury as he’s now questionable instead of simply out.  Personally, I’d rather Sabonis sit until completely healthy, especially given it’s going to be an uphill battle these next two games even if he does play.  Still, Sabonis was a key part of Sacramento’s earlier season victory over the Celtics, scoring 23 points to go with a career-high 28 rebounds.  It would be a big boon if he is able to play, especially if Boston isn’t able to play Porzingis.

For the Kings, they’ll likely be starting Keon Ellis again if Malik Monk can’t play, and that might end up being a good thing overall. As Blake mentioned, Keon is deserving of more minutes, and the Kings seem to play better shorthanded, likely because the lineups end more balanced as a result.  Ellis had a great game against the Bucks on Saturday, scoring 20 points to go with 9 rebounds and 6 assists, but most of his damage came in the first half as he only took 3 shots in the entire second half.  The Kings were outscored by 18 points in the 2nd half and lost by just 6 points.

For the Kings to win against Boston, they’ll have to hope they can repeat some of their success in keeping Boston from getting too hot from distance.  In that first win, the Celtics made just 11-41 from three while the Kings made 18-47.  For the season, Boston averages 48.2 three point attempts a game, the most in NBA history and almost 7 more attempts a game than they take from two.  Essentially if the Celtics get even a decent look at a three, they’ll take it, and almost everyone on their team is capable of hitting them.  Just the other day, they had rookie Baylor Scheierman drop 20 points including 6-7 from three.  The Celtics have had 22 games this season where they’ve made 20 or more threes, and all but two of those games ended up being wins.  The Kings on the other hand, have only had 5 games with 20 or more threes, and their season-high has been 22.  Boston has had 12 games of 22 or more made threes.  And all of that’s disregarding their still elite defense.  There’s a reason they’re still considered favorites to win the East even with the Cavaliers well ahead in the standings.

Prediction

Neemias Queta has a 20 point, 11 rebound double-double revenge game, but Keon Ellis has a career-high 34 points and the Kings manage to complete the season sweep.

Kings 119, Celtics 112