By the time the Kings' humbling home loss to Boston was over on Sunday night, the change in the starting lineup had become an afterthought to most.
Mikki Moore had regained his starting role at the power forward spot, and second-year player Spencer Hawes had returned to the bench after 10 straight games as a starter. But while the change made little difference on this particular night, it will be worth watching in the games to follow. Moore, whose production is always gauged in intangibles as opposed to statistics, has been the focus of much criticism from fans and media eager to see younger players like Hawes step forward. Yet Hawes, whose hot start to the season was followed by a steady decline in his numbers, simply couldn't capitalize on his chance to secure his spot as a starter.
Moore is averaging 19.1 minutes, 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season, while Hawes is averaging 29.1 minutes, 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds.
CELTICS 108, KINGS 63: After losing two straight games for the first time this season, Boston put an emphatic end to its mini-slide with a 45-point drubbing of the Kings on Sunday night at Arco Arena.
Sacramento shot just 27.9 percent from the field, and their 19 field goals (on 68 attempts) set was a franchise record low for the Kings. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett had no trouble finding the net, hitting 10 of 11 shots for 21 points while Ray Allen added 19 and Eddie House had 15. The Celtics had lost to the Lakers and Golden State coming in.
