Kings-Celtics gameday: Beam Team visits Beantown in battle of NBA’s highest-scoring teams
Note: Come back to this story throughout the day for the latest news, notes and injury updates on today’s game.
The Beam Team will visit Beantown when the Kings conclude a three-game road trip against the Boston Celtics on Friday at TD Garden.
The Kings and Celtics are the two highest-scoring teams in the league as they approach the quarter pole in the 2022-23 NBA season. They could light up the scoreboard in Boston unless, perhaps, everyone ate too much turkey on Thanksgiving.
The Kings (10-7) had their seven-game winning streak snapped with a 115-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. The Kings were on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. They are now tied for fifth in the Western Conference, just one game behind the first-place Phoenix Suns.
The Celtics (14-4) beat the Dallas Mavericks 125-112 on Wednesday to open a six-game homestand. Jayson Tatum continued to build on his early MVP candidacy, posting 37 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. The Celtics are leading the Eastern Conference, 1 ½ games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Sacramento and Boston have had the NBA’s two most explosive offenses this season. They’ve also been the two hottest teams in the league as the Kings have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games and the Celtics have gone 9-1.
The Kings are No. 1 in the NBA in scoring (120.0 ppg) and No. 2 in offensive rating (116.8), effective field-goal percentage (.577) and true shooting percentage (.612). They have moved up to No. 5 in pace (102.08).
The Celtics are No. 1 in offensive rating (118.8), effective field-goal percentage (.582) and true shooting (.619). They are No. 2 in scoring (119.7 ppg).
The Kings, who have been dubbed the Beam Team after unveiling the new victory beam atop their downtown arena, are led by De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Kevin Huerter. Fox is making an early case for his first All-Star selection, averaging 25.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.3 steals. He is shooting career highs of 55.5% from the field, 40.8% from 3-point range and 84.4% at the free-throw line.
Sabonis is averaging 17.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Huerter, acquired in an offseason trade with the Hawks, has averaged 16.7 points while shooting career highs of 50.5% from the field and 50% from 3-point range on 7.4 attempts per game.
Tatum is averaging 30.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown has been terrific, too, averaging 25.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Boston has also benefited from the addition of Malcolm Brogdon, who is averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.
Kings at Celtics
When: 5 p.m.
Where: TD Garden
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Celtics -7.5
Over/under: 235.5
Injury report
Kings: None.
Celtics: OUT — Danilo Gallinari (knee); Robert Williams III (knee).
Upcoming schedule
Nov. 25 at Boston Celtics
Nov. 28 vs. Phoenix Suns
Nov. 30 vs. Indiana Pacers
Dec. 3 at Los Angeles Clippers
Dec. 4 vs. Chicago Bulls
