Game 45 Preview: Kings at Celtics

 Courtney Lee and the rest of the Celtics' guards are going
to have to step up in Rondo's absence.

And let the games begin.

Rajon Rondo is gone.

To quote former Celtics' and current Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, "He ain't walkin' through that door."

There's nothing anyone can do about it, so it's time to move on. Of course it will be strange not see number nine out there for the remainder of the season, but that's just the harsh reality that the Celtics and their fans have to deal with. The season goes on, and the Celtics (21-23) have a chance to start a winning streak as they take on the Sacramento Kings (17-29).

Sacramento comes into tonight's game losers of four of their last five games. Their only win came in their last game on Monday night in a 96-94 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Boston and Sacramento have faced each other earlier this season in a game that the Celtics would like to erase from their memory. The Kings dominated the Celtics in Sacramento by a final of 118-96.

Hopefully, things go the Celtics way this time around.

No kidding.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Kings:
Isaiah Thomas
Tyreke Evans
John Salmons
Jason Thompson
DeMarcus Cousins

Celtics:
Courtney Lee
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Jared Sullinger
Kevin Garnett

Keys to the game:

1. The changing of the guard: In their last meeting, Sacramento's guards combined for 70 points, led by starting point guard Isaiah Thomas, who scored a game-high 27 points. That was partly due to the fact that Rondo was playing on a bum leg and Avery Bradley did not play. Now, Rondo is out, Bradley is back, but Courtney Lee is playing a high level. That duo should take care of the Kings' backcourt, but Boston cannot let the Kings' guards take over the game like they did last time.

2. Good defense: Not a flashy title or a specific key, but it's an important one. At the time of their last meeting, the Celtics allowed the second-highest point total of the season with 118. They let three of Sacramento's starters score at least 20 points. Simply put, the Celtics have to defend better than they did last time. Now that Rondo is gone, there is this belief that the Celtics' defense will be better. To a point, I agree. This team is going to play defense collectively, and we might even see some more zone now that Rondo is no longer out there to ran rampid. Just don't allow the Kings to shoot 54%, please?