Celtics 120, Kings 106

 

A grieving nation, stunned and saddened by Georgia's loss in the CFP quarterfinals, turns its weary eyes to the Boston Celtics for solace. Jaylen Brown responds with a healing 29-point performance and 10 rebounds - a double double! - as the Celtics win a late-night game (late at least here in the East Coast) in Sacramento over the Kings, 120-106. 

What quarter did the Celtics underperform?  None! In no quarter were they outscored by more than one point, and they dominated, 32-18, in the fourth. Four solid quarters of basketball! What a concept!

Sam Hauser had the hot hand on three-pointers last night, going 5 of 7 from outside for all 15 of his points. White and Pritchard each had 16 points and Simons had 14, and the Celtics outrebounded the Kings, 40 to 32. They gave González 18½ minutes of playing time and he responded with a three, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal, and the team was +20 when the was on the floor. So once again, the formula for winning is Rebounds + Three-Pointers + Hugo Minutes = Success!

Boston is now 21-12 (same as the Bulldogs' lead at halftime last night, I realize and suddenly get choked up) and in second place in the Atlantic, two games back from the Knicks. The Celtic defense has given up only 110.6 point per game, second best in the NBA behind Oklahoma City.  

Next game is Saturday night (10:30 pm) against the Clippers.