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Boston Celtics Hardwood News: Team Gets ‘punked’ in Loss to Sacramento

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Feb 8, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics had a sloppy night in Sacramento snapping their seven-game winning streak.

All signs pointed to an eighth straight victory for the Boston Celtics, but a lack of scoring led to a 108-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.  The struggle to get it going offensively was disappointing primarily because the Kings were without big man DeMarcus Cousins.

Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points in the loss, but Al Horford struggled with just 10 points and Jae Crowder went scoreless going 0-for-6 from the field. Collective, the Celtics shot just 39.7 percent causing Thomas to call the defeat the “worst loss” of the season.

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"“We didn’t play our game,” Thomas said after the game via the Boston Herald.  “They played harder than us at both ends and it showed.  “They punked us.  They 100 percent punked us and we’ve got to do a better job.  If we want to be the team we want to be, we can’t have nights like this against a team that might not even make the playoffs.”"

That is the most frustrating part about a loss like Wednesday night.  The Celtics should’ve had an easier time with a team like the Kings without their big star.  What the loss proves, is the Celtics aren’t the kind of team that can just show up and win a game.  They were out hustled, out muscled and “punked” as Isaiah Thomas said.

Hopefully it will lead to a better performance against the much more talented Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

Notes & quotes

Amir Johnson: The lone bright spot for Boston Wednesday night was the play of Amir Johnson.  The forward scored 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting, with five rebounds, three steals and one assist in 27 minutes of play.

Jan 10, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) throws away his warm-up shirt before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnson’s scoring was great to say, especially the fact that he went 2-for-2 from behind the three-point stripe.  Because of his hot shooting, Johnson saw increased playing time as both Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko struggled.  He should see more playing time Thursday night when the team faces the Blazers.

Brad Stevens on play vs King via the Boston Herald: 

"“It was bad. We were bad turning the ball over.  Our offensive decision-making wasn’t very good all night, but then defensively it impacted us. We started the game really aggressive and really good and then for the better part of the last three quarters they just did whatever they wanted to.”"

Marcus Smart on Kings’ play down the stretch via Celtics.com: 

"“They got hot, and we just couldn’t respond on both ends.  We started making silly turnovers, we weren’t completing fast breaks and we weren’t getting back on the defensive end. They were getting leak-outs (in transition), and then once a team starts feeling comfortable, they start hitting lucky shots.”"

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The Boston Celtics will next travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers Thursday night.

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