Despite 15 Boston turnovers, the Celtics were able to pull out the win in Sacramento for the first time in seven years. Sacramento’s offense fell stagnant in the second half leading to a Celtics 104-93 victory.
A back and forth first quarter fueled by a slew of runs from both sides saw the Kings up 27-24 after one. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with eight points while the Celtics had six first-quarter turnovers.
The Kings’ offense peaked in the second quarter as they scored 33 points to the Celtics’ 28. The Kings looked like they could break the game open as they ran up a 44-36 lead midway through the second. Sacramento was able to end the half up 60-52 despite the Celtics shooting 62% while the Kings shot 53% from the floor. Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 14 points and three rebounds and Willie Cauley-Stein did a little bit of everything chipping in eight points, four rebounds, and four assists.
After a great first half for the Kings, everything fell apart in the third. The Celtics opened the half on a 13-4-run taking a 72-66 lead before extending their run to 20-6. The Kings, however, fought back to end the quarter down 80-78. Hield paced the Kings with 16 points.
After tying the game at 82 with 9:30 remaining in the game, the Kings had a chance. But once Sacramento fell behind 88-86 with 6:27 to go, Boston’s offense took off. The Celtics outscored the Kings 26-7 over the final six minutes of the game en route to a hard-earned 104-93 win.
Boston’s Terry Rozier led all scorers with 33 points while shooting 12-16 from the floor. On the other side, Hield paced the Kings with 21 points on 8-16 shooting. Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere combined for 28 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.