Friday night at TD Garden, the Sacramento Kings, battling for postseason placement, overcame a 14-point hole in the last quarter to test the mettle of the Boston Celtics’ bench.
In the final moments before their final possession, Joe Mazzulla’s second unit went for a 0/10, but he never faltered.
That move paid off, as did his decision to forgo a timeout after De’Aaron Fox made a three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to put the visitors ahead by one. Sam Hauser was unable to complete through contact, but he persisted in the play, causing Keegan Murray to lose possession of the ball and giving it to Xavier Tillman Sr., who then swished a floater through the net two feet from the middle of the paint to win the game.
Their top wings are on their injury report as the Cs move on to Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers and continue to pace players down the final stretch of the regular season, one day after their 101-100 triumph over Sacramento.
With a right knee contusion, Jayson Tatum, who played 33 minutes against the Kings on Friday and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists, is doubtful.
Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined against Sacramento due to a left-hand strain, is in a similar situation.
Jaden Springer, who has missed five consecutive games because of tendinopathy in his left knee, is also doubtful for Sunday’s game at TD Garden against the Trail Blazers.
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