After a rough opening loss, the Sacramento Kings pulled off a stunner in game #2, beating the Boston Celtics 96-94 on Mitch Richmond’s game-winner with 10 seconds left. This was a close game throughout, with neither side taking a lead larger than six points.
Richmond scored 22 points and Oscar Robertson had a team-high 24 points. DeMarcus Cousins had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Domantas Sabonis just missed one with nine points and 15 rebounds.
Larry Bird scored a game-high 35 points for the Celtics, while Kevin McHale had 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Kings (1-1) won the game by getting to the free throw line, where they went 24-for-31 compared to the Celtics’ 8-for-10.
The Kings took a 1-0 lead, then wouldn’t go in front again until Richmond capped off a 6-0 run to make it 38-37 midway through the second quarter. Boston didn’t have a lead larger than five points during that time.
The lead see-sawed back and forth for a while. A 7-0 Boston run that included five points from Paul Pierce put the Celtics ahead by six at 61-55 midway through the third quarter.
The Celtics had another 72-66 lead late in the third quarter, but went on an extended drought. The Kings scored 10 straight, four by Robertson, to take a 76-72 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento’s lead grew to five points at 82-77 with six minutes left after two Richmond free throws. Boston turned it around and went in front 86-84 with three minutes left after a Bird three-pointer. Bird tied it at 94 with another basket with just over a minute to go.
Both teams had multiple shots in the final minutes to take the lead, but all missed until Richmond connected with 10 seconds left. Bird had a good look to tie the game in the closing seconds but it was off the mark.
The Kings outscored the Celtics 28-22 in the fourth quarter.
Next up: the Brooklyn Nets.
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 