Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings: Match Preview and Predictions - 17th November 2019

Match details

Fixture: Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings

Date & Time: Sunday, 17th November 2019 (3:30 PM ET)

Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

Last game results

Boston Celtics (10-1): 105-100 victory against the Golden State Warriors (15th November, Friday)

Sacramento Kings (4-7): 99-97 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (15th November, Friday)

Boston Celtics Preview

Following the departure of Kyrie Irving, many believed the Boston Celtics would fall out of contention for one of the top seeds in the East. However, 11 games in, they sit pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference Standings and look like a well-oiled machine.

Kemba Walker has led the Celtics to a scintillating start and they head to Sacramento riding a 10-game win streak.

Boston dropped their season-opener to the Philadelphia 76ers, but have since reeled off 10 straight wins, including statement victories against the likes of Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors.

They suffered a massive scare against the Golden State Warriors in their previous outing, but managed to score 13 of the game's final 16 points to secure a 105-100 victory.

Key Player - Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker

After a slow start, Kemba Walker has burst into life for the Celtics. He is averaging 25 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season and shooting a ridiculous 44.4% from beyond the arc.

Walker has managed at least 20 points in nine of Boston's last 10 games and will be eyeing another big night against a Sacramento defense that's among the worst in the league.

Celtics predicted lineup

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Marcus Smart, Kemba Walker

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Sacramento Kings Preview

Sacramento came extremely close to pulling off one of the upsets of the season in their previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ultimately, it took an Anthony Davis block at the buzzer to put an end to the Kings' two-game win streak.

However, Sacramento will be buoyed by the fight they showed against one of the championship favorites.

Despite De'Aaron Fox's absence, the Kings had no trouble keeping pace with the conference leaders, with the likes of Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Yogi Ferrell all stepping up to the task.

The defeat, however, means the Kings are now 4-7 and their task only gets tougher from here on. They square off against a red-hot Boston Celtics side next, a clash in which they are the overwhelming underdogs.

Key Player - Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield

In De'Aaron Fox's absence, the onus will be on Buddy Hield to pick up the slack for the Kings. He did that successfully against the Lakers, making six of his 14 attempts from deep and finished with 21 points.

Hield is averaging 18.5 points per game this season on 41.1% shooting from the field and has poured in at least 20 points in six of the last seven games for Sacramento.

Kings predicted lineup

Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, Nemanja Bjelica, Cory Joseph, Buddy Hield

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Celtics vs Kings Match Prediction

This appears to be a mismatch, at least on paper. The Celtics are flying high and boast one of the best defenses in the league; they are allowing oppositions to shoot just 42.7% from the field.

They have also dominated the recent head-to-head between these two sides, winning four straight and seven of the last eight.

Boston have plenty of scoring options from the bench as well and should be able to comfortably see off the Sacramento challenge.

Where to Watch Celtics vs Kings?

The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports California from 3:30 PM (ET). You can live stream the game via NBA League Pass.