Game 51 Notes: Lack of Defense Costs Sacramento Kings in Boston
By Rafe Wong
Despite the Sacramento Kings scoring 119 points for the game, they again fall to their competition on the scoreboard. Their challenge today were the Boston Celtics, who matched the Kings 119 points and more finishing with 128.
To start the game, it couldn’t have gotten worse for Sacramento on the defensive end. The Kings were able to put up 37 points of their own but also allowed the Celtics to score a whopping 46 points in the first quarter of play.
The Kings then followed up the first with an all-around subpar second quarter trailing by 16 points ending the first half, but then answered back with a solid third quarter decimating Boston’s lead down to single digits.
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Although the Kings made a threat to take away Boston’s lead in the final period of play, the Celtics made key shots late in the game to keep their lead intact. As a result, pushing the Kings record down to 21-30.
Today’s performance by Sacramento was pretty much expected. The Kings were without the services of Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore due to injury, but it didn’t stop Sacramento from putting up a bunch of points on the board.
Although the Kings offense was rolling, it was again their lack of defense that continues to punish them in games. When you allow opponents to score 110+ points on a consistent basis, you’re just not going to win a lot in this league.
Bottom line: good offense, bad defense, and a Sacramento loss and got yourself a typical Kings game.
Again, the main issue for Sacramento this season has been their faulty defense. If the Kings defense can even get up to playing at a mediocre level it would be considered a major upgrade to the team. That’s how bad it has been.
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Notable performances today for the Kings are DeMarcus Cousins recording 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, Rajon Rondo finishing with 14 points, 15 assists, and 6 steals, and Darren Collison scoring 16 points and dishing out 4 assists.
Players of the game for the Celtics today are Avery Bradley who scored 25 points and Isaiah Thomas who torched his former team once again recording 22 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals.
The Kings will need to find a quick remedy to their struggles as they face off against the reigning Eastern Conference champions in the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow night.