The Jekyll-and-Hyde Celtics have had a few days off to bask in the glory of a high-quality win over the Miami Heat. They’ve spent the past few days hanging with tiny masked wrestlers and taking in the sights of Mexico City… but this is a business trip, and there is not-so-easy business to take care of. The Sacramento Kings are a dangerous team, with Rajon Rondo at the point in what will always be a revenge game. It’s also a national TV game… and we know how Rondo loves those.* Oh, there’s the matter of Boogie Cousins. So… this won’t be easy. Here’s the plan to beat the Kings
1: ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK!!!
For all the talk about Rondo triple-doubles, Boogie getting along with teammates, and George Karl having a successful come-to-Jesus with his two mercurial stars, the Kings are still a 7-12 basketball team that boasts one of the worst defenses in the league. Their overall defensive rating is 106.1, good for fifth-worst… and significantly lower than the Brooklyn Nets (102.6), Washington Wizards (102.0), and Philadelphia 76’ers (101.7). Beyond that, they are the worst team in the league when it comes to defending the rim… allowing a league-worst 66% shooting on shots of 5 feet or less.
Attack the rim tonight fellas. They don’t foul a lot, so there won’t be much resistance.
Side note: They’re 3rd worst in the league in field goal percentage from 15-19 feet… which is right in Evan Turner’s wheel house. Don’t be shocked if Turner has a big night.
2: Get under Boogie’s skin
This is a no-brainer, but whatever you need to do to get DeMarcus Cousins worked up and angry will work in the Celtics’ favor. Get him pissed off.. get a tech… get him in foul trouble. Just get him out of his game and off the floor somehow.
The Kings are basically a +14 when he’s on the court… a huge number for a bad team. He’s a hothead… so get into him and make him cost his team.
3: Don’t get beat backdoor!
Anyone that gets beat backdoor tonight should be left off the team plane. We know what Rajon Rondo loves to do.. he loves to let the offense run and pick it apart with precision passes. As part of the meeting with Karl, Rondo and Cousins asked to actually slow the offense down, which means more set plays, and more chances for Rondo to try to find cutters for easy baskets.
Rudy Gay is Rondo’s favorite target… getting 21% of Rondo’s passes and a couple of his assists per game. Gay is a the type of slasher Rondo loves to find. And with Cousins attempting about 4 three’s per game (at 34%… not bad), and the Kings overall being the 5th best 3-point shooting team in the league, the floor is much more open for Gay to get to the rim.
Respect the shooting, but don’t get picked apart by Rondo whipping passes by your ears for layups.
4: Withstand “National TV/Revenge Rondo*” and his initial onslaught
Rondo came back to Boston as a Maverick and shot 12-19 (5-7 3pt) for a 29 point outburst to beat Boston. Don’t think Rondo has revenge on his mind?
Rondo was asked if playing Dallas would spark any special emotions.
“No, it’s not Boston,” Rondo said. “It’s not a big deal.”
Rondo will want to put on a show. If he wants to shoot, then let him. If he wants to take shots away from other people… fine. Stick Bradley on Rondo and let them battle. The bigger concern offensively is Cousins, obviously, so let Rondo try to go off if he wants.
If he hits a few early… no big deal. If he’s on pace for a 50 point game after a quarter… don’t worry. It probably won’t last. Just hold firm… overreacting will be a great way to open up the passing lanes he really wants.
This will be an interesting game. With extra rest, there’s no excuse for coming out lethargic. There is some hype behind the Kings, but they’re still not a good team, and there are ways for the Celtics to beat them on both ends of the floor. If the Celtics do these four things, they can win going away.
*EDIT: At the time this was written, it was listed as an ESPN game on ESPN.com. That was apparently an error. Apologies for the mistake
