11-Year Reign Comes To An End

February 16, 1996.

That's how long it has been since the Celtics won a game in Sacramento. Clinton (Bill) was still in his first term. I was single, living in Allston and commuting to work on the Green Line. And the Celtics were being coached by the immortal M.L. Carr. The night they beat Sacramento, the Celtics starting rotation was Rick Fox, Greg Minor, Eric Montross, Dino Radja and David Wesley.

It's been a long time.

But last night Boston went out West and buried the past in a lead-lined coffin 100 feet under the ground. They decimated the Kings 89-69, and it wasn't even as close as the 20-point blowout would have you think it was. Down 24-20 in the first half, the Celtics went on a 33-5 run to close out the half with a 53-29 lead at halftime. And that was the game right there.

Pierce had 16 points and 6 assists. KG had his usual double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Allen chipped in 17 points and Rondo continued to impress with 13 points and 4 steals.

My one worry is that it was a rough game and the Three Amigos logged some heavy minutes. They have to turn around and play Seattle tonight. Can they show the same tenacity on defense?

Oh, and here's a salute to Dustin Pedroia. He grew up near Sacramento and was at the game. The Kings gave him a jersey with his name on it but he didn't wear it. That's why we love ya, Dustin.