Game #50/82: Celtics (32-18) at Kings (18-34)

Probable Sacramento starters:
Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi

KINGS: OUT: Francisco Garcia  CELTICS: PROBABLE: Ray Allen

Thumbnail: The Celtics look to start the second half of the season off right with a win against a bad team.   This game will be the bench mark for not only the rest of the Celtics plans this week, but also for the season.

Shoot Threes. It may be blasphemy in certain circles to say that Tyreke Evans isn’t good at something, but I’m going to risk ignominy by saying exactly that: Tyreke Evans does not shoot the three ball well.  Luckily for him, his teammates do.  Despite his rough showing at the NBA ASG Horse competition, Omri Casspi is quite the luxury.  He’s a big man that can run and space the floor.  Along with Casspi, the Kings finally have Kevin Martin back from injury.  Martin is a guy that can hurt you from anywhere on the floor.  Add Martin to the bigs the Kings have that are capable of knocking down the long ball, Spencer Hawes, Donte Green, and the backup guards who are capable of knocking down the long ball, Beno Udrih, Andreas Nocioni, Sergio Rodriguez, and you have a team that, if hot, can really hurt a team.

Make the Most of their Versatility. The Kings versatility is best showcased through the pace they play the game, as well as the ability of their big men.  With big guys that shoot the three and run the floor, it’s possible for the Kings to make a team without the defensive discipline pay.  Luckily, the Celtics sacrifice their offensive rebounding opportunities by quickly retreating back and getting set up on the defensive end.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, Evans is a big bodied guard that will probably post Rondo up all night if he knows what’s best for him.  However, along with the post ups, I predict a reach-around happy Rondo getting a ton of poke-aways on the rookie guard, similar to what he did with Darren Collison.

Interior Defense. The Kings are long, but incredibly soft up front.  Aside from seldom used forwards Sean May and Kenny Thomas, the Kings next biggest big man is Jason Thompson, weighing in at 250 lbs.- a solid 30 pounds less than Kendrick Perkins and 40 pounds less than Glen Davis.  I predict the Sacramento frontline getting manhandled tonight.

Interior Bench. The Sacramento frontline gets little relief from their bench.  The 11th though 15th guys on the Sacramento bench are all little used forwards.  The only forward off the bench that plays a vital role in the Kings rotation is Donte Green.  That is saying something.

Tyreke Evans. All second coming (of what I’m not quite sure) jokes aside, this kid can ball.  He’s a big combo-guard at 6’4″ 225 pounds with blow by speed and handles.  He shouldn’t be a point guard in the NBA- he should be a two way wide receiver/ Defensive End in the NFL.  Still, he’s a rookie.  I’m worried, but I’m not that worried.

Omri Casspi. I like this kid a lot.  He hustles.  He shoots well.  He runs the floor.  However, yet again we have another rookie- a rookie who appears much more mortal than Evans given the aforementioned poor showing this past weekend.  Like I said, I’m worried, but I’m not that worried.

Spencer Hawes. He’s a nice player, but he’s not better than Perkins.  Should be a non-factor tonight.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’s TONIGHT:
This isn’t another scrappy five hundred team that the Celtics are going to dominate for two and a half quarters and then fall asleep.  This Kings team is young, talented, and 18-34.  Despite having all of their pieces back (aside from Garcia) they should not be able to match up with the Celtics.  As I wrote before, this is a benchmark for the Celtics and the game that will either actually send Danny into Trade-Deadline-Panic-Mode or make all the doubters come around.

I just don’t know what’s going to happen.  If the Celtics lose to a team eight games under five hundred, I believe it’s safe to say there is a serious problem in Beantown.  I don’t care if it’s close, but the Celtics must win this game.

PREDICTION:
Celtics 105, Kings 95