The Boston Celtics (53-19) steadily pulled away in the fourth and rolled to their sixth consecutive win with a dominant 113-95 victory against the Sacramento Kings (35-36) on March 25.
Boston Celtics Top Performers:
Jayson Tatum 25 PTS | 7 REB | 8 AST | 42.4 FPS
JT almost pulled off a 30-point triple-double in just three quarters of play, but he wasn’t able to add more to his totals after landing awkwardly on Sabonis’ foot and twisting his ankle late in the third. Despite the scare, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reassured after the game that Tatum is fine and is not expected to miss significant time. Before the injury, Tatum had been on an impressive run, scoring 25 points in seven of his last eight games, while also contributing solid rebounds and assists. With Tatum potentially sidelined, Pritchard and Brown are expected to see an increase in usage. If Hauser is available, he may move into the starting lineup while Scheierman should also see an uptick in minutes.
Kristaps Porzingis 16 PTS | 8 REB | 2 BLK | 37.6 FPS
KP returned after missing the first game of the back-to-back and delivered another strong performance. He was less effective today compared to his last two games and struggled again from three, but he compensated with strong production on defense. He’s also poised for even bigger production with Tatum potentially missing some games.
Derrick White 12 PTS | 5 REB | 8 AST | 35.0 FPS
White’s usage has dropped over the last three games as key players have returned and others have stepped up. Offensively, he’s not at his best, which has led to a decline in his scoring, as he’s posted 20 points or fewer in eight of his last nine games. However, he’s remained impactful by contributing across the board, with increased assist numbers and stronger defensive performances in recent games. These improvements seem sustainable, especially with multiple players dealing with injuries.
Luke Kornet 13 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 32.1 FPS
Kornet has seen increased minutes today with Horford resting and nearly posted a full stat line. He’s been highly efficient recently, going 12-for-13 from the field in his last two games, scoring 13 points in each, and contributing solid rebounding numbers. However, it’s unlikely he’ll maintain this level of production regularly, especially as the team’s third option at his position.
Payton Pritchard 22 PTS | 5 3PM | 5 REB | 32.0 FPS
Pritchard continues to make a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year, recording his fourteenth game off the bench with 20+ points and 5+ three-pointers made. With Tatum’s injury, Pritchard is poised to take on an even larger offensive role in the upcoming games.
Sacramento Kings Top Performers:
DeMar DeRozan 20 PTS | 10 REB | 1 BLK | 40.6 FPS
DeRozan scored 20 points for the seventh consecutive game, but he struggled with his shooting again, finishing under 40% and going 0-for-8 from three in his last two games. He made up for the shooting struggles with his improved playmaking, recording his second double-digit assist game this month, though that level of production may not be sustainable. With a crucial stretch of games ahead, DeRozan is expected to provide a better offensive showing, and his efficiency will be key to the team’s success.
Domantas Sabonis 16 PTS | 17 REB | 1 AST | 36.9 FPS
Sabonis made a surprising return today and looked sharp after missing just three games. He didn’t miss a beat, recording his 52nd double-double of the season, though he was less impactful in other areas. With the team fighting for a play-in spot, it’s not impossible that he will play in tomorrow’s back-to-back game as well, so it’s important to monitor his status.
Keon Ellis 14 PTS | 4 AST | 2 STL | 25.6 FPS
Ellis continues to start and has delivered another well-rounded stat line. While he’s capable of stronger performances, consistency may be a challenge unless he secures a more regular starting role. Nevertheless, he remains a solid streaming option as long as Monk is unavailable.
Keegan Murray 13 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 25.5 FPS
Murray continues to be a reliable two-way threat, scoring in double digits and hitting multiple threes in six straight games. On defense, he’s recorded at least two stocks in six of his last seven games. Plus, he’s poised to maintain this level of production in the coming games.
Zach LaVine 14 PTS | 5 AST | 1 STL | 22.0 FPS
Zach went through another tough shooting stretch, continuing a streak of three subpar performances. To make matters worse, he recorded 4 turnovers in both of his last two games. He hasn’t quite been himself since missing a game due to a personal issue. However, with the schedule easing up after tomorrow’s matchup against the Thunder, he’ll have a great opportunity to bounce back and regain momentum.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Jaylen Brown 9 PTS | 2 REB | 1 STL
JB made his return after missing the last three games due to a knee issue. He was on a minutes restriction and had another quiet outing today, with his performances in the two games before his absences also being underwhelming. However, these struggles shouldn’t be a major concern, as he’s capable of bouncing back and is expected to take on a larger offensive role with Tatum sidelined.
