Wing players have been a problem for the Sacramento Kings lately, particularly on the road trip without Tyreke Evans to guard them. First it was DeMar DeRozan putting up 28 for the Raptors on Sunday, then it was Nick Young lighting them up yesterday for 43. Now it’s Paul Pierce; after Pierce went off for 15 first quarter points, he settled down and finished the first half with 19.
Sacramento has stayed in it thanks to good play by Beno Udrih (4-4 from the field, 5-6 from the line, 14 points, 4 assists), and excellent bench production from Carl Landry (2-3 from the field, 7-8 from the line, 11 points and 2 rebounds). The aggressive movements of Udrih and Landry have kept the Kings within shooting distance. Pooh Jeter has played pretty well too, despite not showing it on the statsheet.
Both teams look lethargic; Sacramento is on the second night of a back-to-back, and Boston looks thoroughly unexcited to be playing the Kings. The only thing really noticeable is foul trouble—Jason Thompson, Francisco Garcia, and Landry have three fouls for the Kings, and Shaquille O’Neal and Luke Harangody for the Celtics.
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