Chaos reigns supreme with the Sacramento Kings. After losing their second straight on Friday night, the Kings have now dropped 6-of-7 and rumors of a potential coaching change have them reeling.
They travel to Boston to take on a red hot Celtics team led by first-time all-star and former King Isaiah Thomas.
Rajon Rondo returns home to Boston where he spent the first eight and a half seasons of his career. As a member of the Celtics, Rondo made four All-Star teams and helped the team win the 2008 NBA Championship.
Rudy Gay is out after rolling his left ankle against the Nets. He has missed five of the Kings previous 10 games with a series of different injuries, including a heel issue, a corneal abrasion and now a sprained ankle.
Boston has won 8-of-9 coming into the game, including a 104-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Boston touts the league’s second best defensive rating, allowing 101.4 points per 100 possessions. The Celtics also third in the league in pace.
LINE
No Line
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 21-29, third place in Pacific
Celtics: 30-22, second place in East
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk -- The Celtics two-headed monster in the middle have taken turns doing damage against the Kings over the past few seasons. Olynyk dropped in 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting earlier in the season and Sullinger hit the Kings for 20 points and 11 rebounds in his only game against Sac last season. Cousins is fresh off his first triple-double of the season against Brooklyn, finishing the night with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
INJURY REPORT
Kings: F Rudy Gay (left ankle) out, SG Ben McLemore (right wrist) out, C DeMarcus Cousins (left ankle) probable, PG Rajon Rondo (turf toe) probable.
Celtics: F Jae Crowder (ankle) questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
The Celtics beat the Kings 114-97 in Mexico City on Dec. 3 in the only other scheduled meeting between these two teams this season. Boston holds a 179-117 all-time lead over the Kings and a 34-25 advantage during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
"I don't have any control over what other people are thinking or saying. That's their storm. My preference would be it wouldn't be there. But there's always energy today. Then once something gets out, it magnifies and grows and becomes a storm. That's not my storm. My storm is the Boston Celtics." -George Karl on rumors that his job is in jeopardy in Sacramento
