Victory! Sabonis scores 23+28+3, Tatum shoots 13 for 5, a new record is set, and the ninth place in the West changes hands On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the 27-win and 10-loss Celtics faced the 18-win and 19-loss Kings at home. On paper, the Celtics had the advantage, but after the Kings changed coaches, their record soared, currently on a five-game winning streak. Could the Celtics defeat such a formidable opponent? The Celtics' starting lineup was Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, while the Kings were without Fox, starting Monk, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis. In the first quarter, Brown's hook shot and Porzingis' three-pointer were matched by Monk's three-pointer and DeRozan's mid-range jumper, with both teams tied at 5-5. Brown scored four consecutive points to give the Celtics a 9-5 lead, but Murray hit two three-pointers, followed by Porzingis' mid-range jumper and Sabonis' offensive rebound basket, allowing the Kings to take a 13-11 lead. Brown then scored four more points to regain the lead by two points. However, Sabonis, Ellis, and Monk's three-pointers and dunks put the Kings up by six points. Porzingis responded with a three-pointer, but Sabonis answered back with another three-pointer, maintaining a six-point lead. Kornet's layup was countered by Monk and Huerter, leaving the Kings with a nine-point lead. Tatum and Pritchard scored for the Celtics, but DeRozan and Carter responded, ending the first quarter with the Kings leading 34-27. In the second quarter, Pritchard and Porzingis closed the gap, followed by Lyles' three-pointer. Horford, Porzingis, Holiday, and White scored consecutively, giving the Celtics…