The Boston Celtics ended their long road trip in dramatic fashion, beating the Sacramento Kings 132-109 behind a sensational performance from forward Jayson Tatum. After blowing a 19-point lead in Utah on Saturday, Boston bounced back with a convincing win over one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Tatum scored 36 points to lead the Celtics, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White adding 27 and 20 points, respectively.
The Kings, playing their fifth game in seven nights in their fourth time zone, offered little defensive resistance for the Celtics. Boston shot 53.3% from the field, turning the ball over a mere five times and taking control of the game during a torrid shooting stretch coming out of halftime. Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists for the Kings, with De’Aaron Fox chipping in 18 points.
The win gives the Celtics a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division and puts the Kings 1 1/2 games behind Memphis in the race for second place in the Western Conference. The Kings are trying to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006 — the longest postseason drought in NBA history — but they will need to find ways to slow down teams like the Celtics if they want to make a run in the playoffs. Despite the loss, it was a great showing by the Kings, and they will be looking to get back on track against their next opponent.
