Kings Get Wasted In Mexico City, 114-97
The Sacramento Kings hoped that getting to Mexico City a day early would help them cope with playing at over 7,000 feet of elevation.
They thought wrong, as they looked gassed from the start in a 114-97 thrashing at the hands of the Boston Celtics as part of the NBA Global Games.
The game was pretty much decided with Isaiah Thomas's 14 points in the first quarter, which helped Boston race out to a 15-point lead. By halftime, the Kings had made just 14 of their 43 shots from the field (.326) and committed 12 turnovers. Sacramento's 36 first-half points was a season low.
Boston, in contrast, was not perfect - they committed nine first-half turnovers (16 overall), but overcame their mistakes by shooting 45% in the first half, including 7-of-16 from beyond the arc. They'd finish the game just as hot as they started, connecting on a season-high-tying 14-of-33 from distance and shooting 47% from the field overall.
Thomas, the 60th overall draft pick by the Kings in 2011, finished tied for a game-high with 21 points to go with 9 assists for the Celtics.
Things continued to spiral in the third quarter for Sacramento when Rajon Rondo was ejected for winning a staring contest with official Bill Kennedy. Rondo finished with 5 points and 8 assists against his former team.
DeMarcus Cousins struggled his way to 16 points on 4-of-17 shooting in his second game after returning from a strained back.
The Kings (7-13) were without the services of Omri Casspi, who missed the game due to illness. They continue their road trip Saturday in Houston.
