Celtics at Kings
THE STORY: The Boston
Celtics kept quiet at the trade deadline and decided to let their aging
core finish out their fifth season together. Boston continues its
eight-game road trip with a visit to the sagging Sacramento Kings on
Friday. The Celtics are seeking their ninth consecutive victory over the
Kings, who have lost three straight during a season-high nine-game
homestand. Boston has won two in a row after losing at the Los Angeles
Lakers on Sunday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CS New England (Celtics), CS California (Kings)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (23-19): With Boston's frontcourt depleted by
injuries, forward Brandon Bass scored a season-high 22 points and snared
nine rebounds in Wednesday's 105-103 victory at Golden State. He has
averaged 15.7 points and 8.7 boards in his last three games. His
contribution comes at a crucial time after the team learned big man
Chris Wilcox needs heart surgery and is done for the season. Center
Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) has missed 11 straight games and could also be
finished for the season.
ABOUT THE KINGS (14-29): After
winning the first two games of the homestand, Sacramento has reversed
course and looked defenseless in doing so. The Kings allowed 115 points
in a loss to Golden State on Tuesday and were shredded for 124 points by
Detroit one night later. To compound the woes, shooting guard Tyreke
Evans suffered a sprained left ankle late in Wednesday's game. The
third-year guard is second on the team in scoring at 17.1 points per
game.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Sacramento has allowed four of the last five opponents to shoot at least 50 percent, including a 58.1 effort by the Pistons.
2. The Celtics have gone 8-2 since the All-Star break. Point guard Rajon Rondo has averaged 11.3 assists during that stretch.
3. Boston has won its last four meetings in Sacramento.