Recap: Celtics throttle Kings, seize 3rd seed

So this is what is was like to be a Nuggets fan in 1984. The Celtics rode a 46 point 1st quarter explosion to a 128-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The victory is Boston’s 4th straight and 12 out of 15. At 31-22 the C’s own 3rd place in the Eastern conference by a full-game over the Miami Heat.

This could have been easier. The Celtics stretched the lead to 20+ points in the 3rd quarter, but they allowed the Kings to creep within 5 late in the 4th. It’s hard to maintain a blowout when you turn the ball over 24 times.

Avery Bradley had 12 of his 25 points in the epic 1st quarter. Let’s just say there was an abundance of open 3-pointers (7-13 to be exact). While we all hoped the Cs would stay on pace for 180 points, the offense dipped a bit in the 2nd quarter (a measly 28 points). Still, they lead by 14 at the half and this felt like an easy win. Jared Sullinger was Bar Rafaeli hot (8-of-9  for 17 points).

I checked out a bit during the 3rd quarter (damn kids) and so did the Celtics. Fueled by aforementioned turnovers, the Kings rattled off a 19-4 run to creep back to single digits. I quickly realized I would need 2 more beers to make it through this game.

Boston started hot in the 4th. AB’s second triple of the quarter stretched the lead back to 12, yet the Celtics lets the Kings back into the game AGAIN. Fortunately, Isaiah Thomas (22 points, 9 assists) was there to score 9 of Boston’s final 13 points.

Old friend Rajon Rondo dropped 14 points, 15 assists, and 6 steals. Love him or hate him, the guy looked good.

Green

What the hell got into Tyler Zeller? He dropped 17 points and 7 rebounds. He’s surpassed 15 points in 3 of his last 5 games.

Gross

24 turnovers.

Jonas Jerebko went scoreless in 10 minutes. He was a team low -7.

Greenlights

IT4 blocks DMC

A video posted by Boston Celtics (@celtics) on Feb 7, 2016 at 11:37am PST

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsIT hits Zeller in PnR https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js

Thomas 3 seals it

https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js

Grid

• The 46 points in the 1st quarter is a season high
• The 37 points allowed in the 1st quarter is a season high
• Boston’s 54% 3 FG is a season high