Final: Celtics 122, Kings 104 - Dramatic turnaround gives Boston back to back wins

Game 19: Celtics (-7.5) vs. Sacramento Kings, 8:00 p.m., TD Garden, NBCS Boston

Injuries: 

Boston: Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams

Sacramento: None

Kings probable starters: De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes

Refs: Eric Lewis (#42), Natalie Sago (#9), Dannica Mosher (#89)

A little something about the game: The Kings just had their seven-game winning streak snapped by the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics and Kings are the two best offenses in the league, with the Kings averaging the most points per game, and Boston holding the league’s best offensive rating (118.8 points per 100 possessions). No matter how you slice it, these teams rank at or near the top of most offensive metrics. We could see a LOT of points go up on the board. BetOnline has the combined over/under at 239 (both teams average about 120 so, okay, I get it), but I feel like one of these teams could put up 140 or 150 tonight. 

How Boston wins: All that said about the offense, the Kings have the sixth-worst defense in the NBA. They allow the fifth-highest field goal percentage at the rim in the league, so just like in the last game, the way to win is inside-out. Get the ball into the paint, multiple attacks, and break the defense down to get easy layups. It won’t take too much pressure to get this defense to break. 

How Sacramento wins: More than 18% of their offense comes via transition baskets, second-best in the league. They number one in the NBA in running off live rebounds, so the Celtics need to be aware of leak-outs and get back on defense. Forget crashing for offensive rebounds, forget turning and looking and following the ball. The Kings are looking to get out and push the pace and they can pile up points in a hurry if you’re not careful. 

Things I’m looking for:

- Connected defense: On top of all that transition stuff, the Kings have the league’s second-best half court offense (behind Boston), so they're going to score points. This is going to require one of the team’s best defensive efforts of the young season. 

- Don’t let offense dictate defense: If the shots aren’t falling early, the Celtics still need to get back on defense and take away the Kings’ transition game. If they get frustrated at all by missed shots or a lack of foul calls, it WILL lead to Kings points on the other end. We talk about basketball being a game of runs, but with these two offenses, it’ll be very easy to trade 14-2 runs all game. The Celtics can limit that by moving on to the next play very quickly.

- Take away Sabonis, especially his passing: Give Malcolm Brogdon the white board and let him run down all of Sabonis’ quirks, then use every bit of that against him in the game. Fox is clearly their star player, but Sabonis definitely stirs the drink with his pick-setting and playmaking. Defensively, the game plan should be somewhat similar to Dallas in that Fox cooking isn’t going to be what beats Boston. Take away Sabonis and a lot of what makes that offense click will go away. 

- Revenge? The Celtics blew Sacramento out twice last season, and they were up by as much as 60 in the game in Boston. Times have changed, but don't discount how long the memories are for some of these guys. There are enough remaining Kings who remember that 128-75 loss last January. Don't think they will pass up a chance to rub it in if they catch Boston napping in this one.

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.