Kings upset Celtics 114-97

Tbe Boston Celtics are starting a new trend. They just cannot cover the spread when they are a double digit favourite, they cannot win either.

In the last month, the Celtics have lost four games as the double digit favourite. The fourth time came on Friday when they were beaten 114-97 by the Sacramento Kings as a 12 point favourite. That was followed by 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on December 14 as a 14.5 point favourite, a 108-104 loss to the Orlando Magic on December 23 as a 10 point favourite, and a 123-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers on December 29 as a 12.5 point favourite. 

On Friday, the Kings pounded the Celtics by 17 points at the Toronto Dominion Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Five Kings reached double digits in points. Small forward DeMar DeRozan of Compton, California led the Kings with 24 points and nine assists. Center Domantas Sabonis had a remarkable double double (28 rebounds and 23 points). Sabonis’s 28 boards were a career-high, and most rebounds in a game this season. Meanwhile, shooting guard Malik Monk of Jonesboro, Arkansas had 22 points, power forward Keegan Murray of Cedar Rapids, Iowa had 19 points, and point guard Devin Carter of West Palm Beach, Florida had 11 points. Canadian power forward Trey Lyles of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan reached double digits in rebounds with 11 boards.

With the win, the Kings improved to 19 wins and 19 losses. They then went one game above .500 with a 124-119 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. The Celtics dropped to 27 wins and 11 losses. Boston then narrowly beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-119 on Sunday.