Celtics aim to end road losing streak at Sacramento

Celtics aim to end road losing streak at Sacramento

In an attempt to snap a losing streak on the road,

the Boston Celtics are faced with the difficult assignment of playing

the dynamic Sacramento Kings less than twenty-four hours after suffering a

setback in overtime in San Francisco on Wednesday night.

The Celtics looked to be headed for a very easy road victory over the

Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night,

building up a 17-point lead in the third quarter while riding the high of a

five-game winning streak, all at home.

 

But Jayson Tatum, who had to sit out nearly a whole quarter after spraining his left ankle,

missed a game-winning shot in regulation,

meaning that the Celtics wasted five more minutes of effort in a 132-126 loss.

Derrick White finished with a 30-point performance,

making a season-high seven 3-pointers,

but the Celtics ultimately let it go.

Boston, which leads the Eastern Conference in record, had lost four straight away from home.

The Celtics have a 20-6 record on the road and have won 14 of their games at home.

Al Horford was mentioned as a “load management” option by Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla even

before he seen all five of his starters play 36 minutes or more against the Warriors.

This was the second night of the back-to-back.

Mazzulla also mentioned that Kristaps Porzingis, who was not included in Tuesday’s trip opener,

will probably play again against the Kings.

“Just calf management, back-to-back, a little slow after

(Boston’s home win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday),” Mazzulla said regarding Porzingis.

“Just really trying to manage that and make sure both those guys stay healthy.”

The Kings are a squad that has also recently capitalised on its home dates,

and the Celtics will be facing this team as they try to avoid what would be just their second set of back-to-back losses this season.

Sacramento has defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder,

Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards to begin a six-game homestand,

averaging a 12-point margin of victory in those games.

In a 143-131 victory over the Wizards on Monday,

the Kings’ offence was efficient as they scored a season-high number of

points thanks to balanced scoring,

53 percent shooting, and 17 3-pointers.

With a combined 83 points on 30-for-52 shooting, De’Aaron Fox (30 points),

Domantas Sabonis (28) and Keegan Murray (25),

led the way. For his third triple-double of the year, Sabonis added 13 rebounds and 12 assists.

As the Kings wrap off a six-game homestand against three formidable opponents—

the Boston Celtics,

Phoenix Suns, and Minnesota Timberwolves—

coach Mike Brown is pleased to see his club get some momentum at home.

Brown remarked, “We’re doing good.”

“It should excite the players to play in this building because

believe we have the best fans in the NBA.”

The fans should provide them with energy.

While we are here, we must make the most of it.”

The Celtics have won both of their previous two trips to Sacramento,

most recently in March when they defeated the Kings 132-109 thanks to

36 points from Jaylen Brown and 27 from Jay Tatum.

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