The first game of a four game western road trip turned out to be a rout as the Boston Celtics crowned the Sacramento Kings 89-69 at the ARCO Arena Thursday night to improve their record to 23-3.
After a slow start in which the Green only scored 18 first quarter points they turned it up in the second quarter and took a 53-29 lead into the locker room at half time. They would need that big lead as the Kings made a run themselves later in the game and got to within five before an Eddie House and James Posey hit back-to-back three’s that silenced the crown and turned the game back in the Celtics favor.
Ray Allen who had 17 points and 3 steals, led five Celtics in double figures as Paul Pierce had 16 points and 6 assists, Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo had 13 points, 4 boards, 4 steals and 3 assists and James Posey chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.
Sacramento was led by Ron Artest who had 15 points, John Salmons had 13 and Brad Miller had 7 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics play tonight in Seattle as Ray Allen returns to face his former team.
AL Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia watched from courtside and was given a Kings jersey with his name. Pedroia, who grew up in nearby Woodland but plays for the Boston Red Sox, did not wear the jersey.
