The Kings had an excellent chance to start this road trip on the right foot but one blown 21 point lead later and the Kings are staring at a very realistic chance of starting this trip 0-2, with the league leading Boston Celtics on the docket tonight. Who’s bright idea was it for the Kings to play a back-to-back in New York and Boston and then come back to New York to play Brooklyn on Tuesday? Shame on you.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Friday, April 5th, 4:30 PM PT
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings and Celtics both started out hot in their lone matchup so far this season, with the first quarter going 41-38 to Sacramento. Unfortunately for the Kings, Boston stayed hot, scoring over 30 points in each of the remaining quarters while the Kings failed to reach that mark again. The Celtics ended up winning 144-119 behind 28 points from both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, and three other 20 point scorers in Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Payton Pritchard. Boston shot 55.4% from the field, 52.4% from three and their best player, Jayson Tatum, didn’t even play. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and was the only Kings player with over 13 points.
Three in the Key
Fight through Adversity
On paper, this might be the most easily predictable “schedule loss” in the entire season. It’s the second night of a back to back against the NBA’s best team, on the road, after a grinding, tough loss the night before. The Kings don’t have the luxury to take any nights off now, as they’re fighting for their lives in the Western Conference. Last night’s loss put the Kings only 0.5 game ahead of 9th, and now 9th or 10th look more realistic than that 6th seed Kings fans had been hoping for. A win tonight would be a huge boost to our chances but it’s going to be an uphill battle the entire way.
Guard the Perimeter
This year’s Celtics squad is one of the best three point shooting teams in NBA history. They rank first in both attempts (42.5) and percentage (39%). That’s terrible news for the Kings given that they have allowed opponents to shoot 39.3% from distance this season. The defense has been better of late, but they’ll need to be even better to keep the Celtics off the perimeter. If Boston gets going from distance, this game could be over quickly.
Value Possessions
The Kings had far too many turnovers against New York last night, racking up 16 in total. The Knicks punished them with 26 points off those turnovers. The Kings are already going up against a phenomenal defense that will be tough to score on tonight. They can’t afford to just give away possessions by being careless with the ball. The Celtics don’t force a ton of turnovers themselves, but they also have the NBA’s 3rd best defense and don’t foul a ton. Don’t give them any help, they don’t need it.
Prediction
Chris Duarte is revealed to actually be the world’s greatest computer hacker and sets the clocks of every single Boston player to be 3 hours ahead. Boston fails to show up to the game and the Kings win by forfeit.
Kings win, Celtics forfeit
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
Let’s now dream the impossible dream
Of beating the number one team.
On a road back-to-back,
Give the Celtics a smack
Truly worthy of lighting the beam!
+1 Bounce-back game tonight!
City of T(h)rees
Let’s do what Brown wants. Shoot at least 50 threes. That should do it. Kings win big.
I await the Lisan Al-Gaib to lead us to the green paradise of the sixth seed.
Even with 2 starters out, the C’s will still have Tatum, Zinger and Holiday tonight. Those 3 are better than any 3 a full healthy Kings squad could have. Boston is just that good this year.
Woof…Good time to try new things.
I picked the Kings to lose, so that means they will probably win tonight! You’re welcome!
Science for the win!
This isn’t a “scheduled loss”, it’s just a flat out loss. The Kings ain’t beating the Celtics this season, even if they had a week to prepare and were fully healthy.
I wonder what Hawks fans were saying a couple weeks ago about their chances of beating the Celtics twice in a row—without Trae Young…But you’re probably right.
I hate to admit it but I’m mentally prepared for a loss. If we can have a 2-2 road I’d be happy. Old school Celtics fan so it won’t hurt as bad as last night.
Badge Legend