Here’s What Stood Out in the Celtics’ Win vs. Kings: Boston Stifles NBA’s Top-Scoring Offense

In a battle between the NBA’s highest-scoring offenses, the Celtics’ protection was excellent within the first body, limiting the Kings to 22 factors on 35 p.c capturing.

Second-quarter slippage price Boston the lead and represented the principle cause Sacramento completed with 50 factors within the paint. However a lineup that includes Jayson Tatum and 4 second-unit members once more shifted momentum within the Celtics’ favor, staging a 16-0 run to take a ten-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Jaylen Brown took over from there, registering ten of his 25 factors within the fourth quarter, serving to Boston shortly shut out its 122-104 win.

Now, for a deep dive into what stood out within the victory.

Celtics Sharp Defensively in First Body

The Kings stored Boston’s protection lively with fixed on and off-ball exercise. However the Celtics’ communication was glorious, as have been their on-ball closeouts and strain. And their switch-heavy scheme restricted the variety of instances somebody from Sacramento got here free.

That had the guests enjoying slower than they most well-liked and sometimes overthinking their selections. Even when somebody received free, whether or not it was lacking open pictures or over-throwing Domantas Sabonis as he rolled to the rim, the customer’s usually did not capitalize on it within the opening quarter.

After 12 minutes, the Kings had solely put 22 factors on the board. They shot an abysmal 35 p.c from the sector, together with 2/10 from past the arc, and dedicated ten turnovers, resulting in 11 of Boston’s 36 factors.

Celtics’ Second-Quarter Protection Continues to Wrestle

Boston entered Friday’s matchup ranked twenty ninth defensively within the second quarter. Sadly for the hosts, they carried out up that status towards the Kings.

After producing solely 22 factors within the first body, Sacramento scored 40 within the second. With the Celtics’ focus and on-ball strain lessening, the Kings operated in transition at larger frequency, resulting in 34 factors within the paint within the first half. Twenty-six of these have been within the second quarter.

And regardless of capturing 4/18 (22.2 p.c) from past the arc, Sacramento transformed 51.1 p.c of its discipline objectives, due to doing most of its harm from shut vary.

De’Aaron Fox entered the break with a team-high 14 factors, and Sabonis registered 12.

The Kings aren’t capturing nicely but, but when Boston does not tighten up defensively, Sacramento, who ranks within the prime 5 in threes made per sport, figures to search out its rhythm.

Jayson Tatum Plus 4 Second-Unit Members Swing Momentum in Boston’s Favor

It is from the primary time this season a lineup that includes Jayson Tatum and 4 members of Boston’s second unit modified the sport’s vitality and shifted momentum within the Celtics’ route.

Friday, Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Malcolm Brogdon, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet staged a 16-0 run late within the third quarter.

4 of these factors have been on free throws, two after Malcolm Brogdon rejected a Malik Monk try on the rim. There was additionally a 3 by Pritchard, a Luke Kornet putback dunk, cleansing up a missed layup by Tatum, and Tatum banking in three.

That burst gave Boston a 94-84 lead coming into the ultimate body.

Jaylen Brown Leads Fourth-Quarter Cost as Celtics Shut Out Kings Early

Jaylen Brown generated ten of the Celtics’ first 16 factors within the fourth quarter, then assisted on an Al Horford three that put the hosts forward by 25, 113-88, with 5:04 remaining.

With the Kings not exhibiting a lot of a pulse, all Boston had left to do was play out the ultimate minutes of its 122-104 win.

Up Subsequent

The Celtics host the Wizards on Sunday. The sport ideas off at 6:00 pm EST. Inside The Celtics may have content material associated to the sport popping out earlier than, throughout, and after. And observe @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and evaluation from pregame to submit.

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