Game 30 Preview: Celtics at Kings

It hasn't been all smiles for DeMarcus Cousins in Sacramento.
Will he be in Celtic green before this year's over with?

After last night's debacle, things can't get any worse, right? 

The Celtics (14-15) will take their talents to California's capital as they take on the lowly Sacramento Kings (10-19), the second-worst team in the Western Conference.

The Kings are coming off their best win of the season against the New York Knicks on Friday night, 106-105. 

We all know what happened to the Celtics last night -- for those who went to bed and didn't get to watch any of the game, consider yourselves lucky. Last night was atrocious, but, it's in the past. There's no time for the Celtics to sulk in their sorrows. 

Rajon Rondo's status is still uncertain. After going through shootaround before yesterday's game, Rondo was deemed unable to play. Rondo and the Celtics are hoping that will change and that he will be able to play tonight. We should know for sure closer to game time, which is 9:00 p.m. Leandro Barbosa is expected to be available tonight.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Celtics:

Courtney Lee*

Jason Terry

Paul Pierce

Kevin Garnett

Jason Collins

Kings:

Isaiah Thomas

Tyreke Evans*

John Salmons

Jason Thompson

DeMarcus Cousins

* subject to change

Keys to the game:

1. A better start: I know I sound like a broken record, but it's true. The Celtics are in dire need of a dominant first quarter. The C's are 11-5 when allowing exactly under 25 points, making them 3-10 when they allow more than 25 points in the first. Needless to say, if the Celtics win the first quarter, there's a pretty good chance they're going to win the game. 

2. KG vs. Cousins: After getting completely shut down by the Festsus Ezeli last night, look for Kevin Garnett to get plenty of shots tonight, especially early on. I would look for the Celtics to come out of the gate looking for Garnett on the post. Although DeMarcus Cousins is going to challenge him a bit, KG still has the edge over the young, hot-headed big man. Garnett should get used to Cousins' tendencies; he might see them in a Celtics' practice in the future (wishful thinking, I know, I'll stop).

3. The JET needs to take off: We're 29 games into the season, and Jason Terry is still in limbo trying to figure out how he fits. Last night, Terry was horrendous. He was 6-of-19 from the floor including 1-of-7 from three-point land. Terry plays better when he's on the court with Rondo because when Rondo is not on the court, Terry has to carry some of the ball-handling duties, which takes away from him getting his shots and takes away some of his playmaking abilities. In games in which Rondo hasn't played, the JET is shooting 38%. Having Rondo on the floor tonight will make Terry better, but the former Sixth Man of the Year needs to play the way that he's capable of playing.