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Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

How did the Boston Celtics blowout the Sacramento Kings?

Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee

The Celtics as a whole took a major hit with Rajon Rondo out, but defensively the backcourt may have improved.

In the last game between these two teams, Isaiah Thomas of the Kings went off for 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Avery Bradley did not play in that game and Courtney Lee saw 21 minutes off the bench. Today both those players started and saw 26-plus minutes.

They were able to take Thomas out of his game early on and left him at 2-of-10 for the day. This defensive presence on the perimeter helped the Celtics keep a the Kings to 81 points total. 

Veteran Leadership

With Rondo out, the veteran leaders on this team must step up. 

The Celtics started a rookie, a third-year player and a fifth-year player. Alongside them was Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Both veterans brought the type of all-around play that Rondo usually does, and because of that the Celtics didn't miss his presence. 

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Pierce posted the 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Garnett finished with 13 points, nine boards and five assists. Even Jason Terry came off the bench to score 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Acceptance

Things are not going to be easy for Boston during the second half of the season.

They have accepted that and moved on now. The things they can do are rack up wins against the lottery teams of the league, like Sacramento. They can continue to take care of their home court, which they also did tonight, and they can follow their leaders.

The leaders are still there in Pierce and Garnett, and even Terry. This team will move forward without a major piece, but if they play within themselves, they can still have a positive second half.

Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

Boston Celtics Boxscore

Boxscore courtesy of NBA.com

Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

Sacramento Kings Boxscore

Boxscore courtesy of NBA.com

Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

Boston Celtics Plus/Minus

Kevin Garnett: +23

Jared Sullinger: +6 

Paul Pierce: +28

Avery Bradley: +13

Courtney Lee: +13

Chris Wilcos: -3

Brandon Bass: +18 

Jeff Green: -10

Jason Collins: -8

Jason Terry: +5

Leandro Barbosa: +5

Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

Sacramento Kings Plus/Minus

Jason Thompson: -14

DeMarcus Cousins: -19

Tyreke Evans: -9

Isaiah Thomas: -11

Fransisco Garcia: -15

Thomas Robinson: +2 

James Johnson: -3

Chuck Hayes: -5

Tyler Honeycutt: +3

Travis Outlaw: -8

Jimmer Fredette: +7

Aaron Brooks: -14

Marcus Thornton: -3

Note: Tyler Honeycutt did not play in the first half.

Sacramento 81, Boston 99 - Final

That does it for this one. The Boston Celtics finish off the blowout win to take their second-straight W without Rajon Rondo.

Paul Pierce finished with a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Garnett posted 13 points and nine boards. The Celtics had seven players reach double-figures. 

For the Kings, it was another depressing showing. Tyreke Evans showed up and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but there was little else.

Stay tuned for postgame stats and analysis here at Bleacher Report.

Sacramento 78, Boston 99 - 1:30 Remaining in Fourth Quarter

Jeff Green gets his first bucket of the second half. After a 5-of-5 first half, he was 0-of-4 before that shot. Maddeningly inconsistent.

Sacramento 77, Boston 93 - 3:30 Remaining in Fourth Quarter

It is fast approaching midnight for any Sacramento Kings' comeback bid.

Paul Pierce has taken on the role of closer for the Celtics and upped his total to 16 points. The Celtics have seven players in double-figures, with Avery Bradley joining the fray this quarter.

It took Bradley 11 shots, but he got his 11 points and five rebounds. His defense has been tremendous, holding the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Fransisco Garcia to 4-of-16 shooting combined.

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Sacramento 75, Boston 90 - 5:40 Remaining in Fourth Quarter

The Celtics would be wise to continue taking the ball at the basket. 

They are shooting 61 percent on two-point shots tonight, but only 5-of-16 from beyond the arc.

Especially since it doesn't seem like Tyreke Evans is going away. He has 19 points and nine boards tonight.

Sacramento 67, Boston 84 - 8:53 Remaining in Fourth Quarter

Paul Pierce will go to the line after the timeout and look for the double-double.

He's got nine points and 10 rebounds. This will be his fifth double-double on the season.

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Sacramento 67, Boston 82 - 10:00 Remaining in Fourth Quarter

The Kings have put together a nice opening run to the fourth quarter, going for seven-straight points.

Tyreke Evans came up with a steal, his third of the game, and then drew a Flagrant Foul on Leandro Barbosa. That cuts the Celtics' lead to 15.

Going back to the third quarter, the Kings are on a 21-8 run.

Sacramento 60, Boston 80 - End of Third Quarter

The Celtics did not give up much ground in the third quarter, losing it 22-21. 

Their 20-point lead has been bolstered by Jason Terry, Brandon Bass and Jeff Green. All of whom have come off the bench to combine for 32 points. Terry leads the team with 12 points, and Kevin Garnett stands at 11. Paul Pierce has nine points, four assists and 10 rebounds.

Tyreke Evans has tried to put the Kings on his back, and has come up with a game-high 13 points. He is the lone double-digit scorer in a Sacramento uniform.

Sacramento 58, Boston 80 - :30 Remaining in Third Quarter

Worth noting, the Boston Celtics do not have a 20-point win on the season.

They defeated the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 4 by 19, and beat a couple teams by 18 earlier in the season. 

Tyreke Evans is the fist Kings' player in double-figures, with 12 on the night. He has nine rebounds as well.

Sacramento 53, Boston 77 - 1:30 Remaining in Third Quarter

The Celtics now have four players in double-figures, with Jason Terry joining the club. He is 5-of-6 from the field and has hit two treys.

They also have seven players with nine-or-more points.

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Sacramento 46, Boston 74 - 4:30 Remaining in Third Quarter

That 27-point lead was in the second-quarter and against a playoff team in Atlanta. This lead has ballooned to 28, the Celtics largest of the season. It is also mid-third quarter and against the 17-29 Sacramento Kings.

Boston is still shooting 61 percent from the field, with Jeff Green the lone perfect night at 5-of-5

Sacramento 45, Boston 70 - 6:00 Remaining in Third Quarter

With the Celtics now up by 25 points, it seems fitting to scare Boston fans by politely reminding them of the time last week when the Celtics blew a 27-point lead to the Atlanta Hawks.

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Sacramento 41, Boston 66 - 8:30 Remaining in Third Quarter

Important basket by Paul Pierce there. His rebounding is great and all, but he has to remember to score as well.

When Pierce grabs double-digit boards this season, the Celtics are only 2-2. That alone doesn't have a massive effect on the game.

Sacramento 38, Boston 64 - 10:00 Remaining in Third Quarter

With a three-point play in the first minutes of the second half, Brandon Bass joins Kevin Garnett and Jeff Green in double-figures, with 10 points.

Bass is now 4-of-7 on the night, and enjoying extended minutes and a second-half start in Jared Sullinger's absence.

Sacramento 38, Boston 59 - End Second Quarter

Two members of the Celtics are 5-of-5 from the field tonight. Can you guess who, based on their shot charts.

Sacramento 38, Boston 59 - End Second Quarter

Boston Celtics Plus/Minus

Kevin Garnett: +20

Jared Sullinger: +6 

Paul Pierce: +17

Avery Bradley: +8

Courtney Lee: +7

Chris Wilcos: +4

Brandon Bass: +15 

Jeff Green: +4

Jason Collins: -3

Jason Terry: +14

Leandro Barbosa: +13

Note: Jared Sullinger is hurt and will not return to the game in the second half (Back Spasms)

Sacramento 38, Boston 59 - End Second Quarter

Sacramento Kings Plus/Minus

Jason Thompson: -9

DeMarcus Cousins: -9

Tyreke Evans: -9

Isaiah Thomas: -7

Fransisco Garcia: -10

Thomas Robinson: -12 

James Johnson: -3

Chuck Hayes: -12

Travis Outlaw: -8

Aaron Brooks: -14

Marcus Thornton: -12

Note: James Johnson played only one minute

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Sacramento 38, Boston 59 - End Second Quarter

The Boston Celtics have completely pulled away from the Sacramento Kings at the half. A 37-14 quarter has gifted them a 21-point halftime lead.

Kevin Garnett leads all scorers with 11 points. He is joined in double-figures by Jeff Green, who chipped in 10 off the bench. Jason Terry is 4-of-5 for nine points, and Paul Pierce came on strong with five points, nine rebounds and four assists.

For Sacramento it was a very weak quarter. Both Jason Thompson and Tyreke Evans are 4-of-7 for nine and eight points, respectively. The Kings are shooting just 35 percent as a team.

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Sacramento 38, Boston 57 - 1:00 Remaining in Second Quarter

Of course, no sooner do I post that, Paul Pierce takes the ball at the hoop for the three-point play. He then drilled a jumper on the next possession.

With five points, seven rebounds and four assists, it might even be time to get the Triple Double Watch ready, even in Rajon Rondo's absence.

Pierce posted a 17-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Miami on Sunday.

Sacramento 36, Boston 51 - 3:00 Remaining in Second Quarter

The #Celtics are up 15 and Paul Pierce hasn't scored a single point yet.

— Greg Payne (@GregPayne_ESPN) January 31, 2013

A good note from Greg Payne at ESPN, Paul Pierce is just 0-of-1 with no points. He does have seven rebounds and four assists for Boston.

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Sacramento 36, Boston 51 - 3:10 Remaining in Second Quarter

Word coming from the telecast is the Jared Sullinger will not be returning tonight for the Boston Celtics.

Back spasms is the reasoning given for locker room stay. Doesn't seem like a major thing, but considering Sullinger's history with back issues, this raises some eyebrows.