The Celtics ran out to a 15-point lead in the first quarter behind Payton Pritchard (11), who scored 22 points in the first half.
The Celtics ran out to a 15-point lead in the first quarter behind Payton Pritchard (11), who scored 22 points in the first half.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
On a night when the Celtics needed a breather, especially with Jaylen Brown sitting this one out, one good half was good enough to overwhelm the visiting Kings.
Boston shot 65.1 percent, rolled up 72 points, and drained 11 3-pointers in the first 24 minutes — a welcomed response from their Wednesday drubbing by the Hawks — in cruising to a 112-93 win.
Payton Pritchard scored 22 of 29 points in the first half, while six Celtics scored in double figures on a night in which they were really never threatened.
Boston ended the first half on a 25-6 run for a 26-point halftime lead. The second half was an offensive struggle (13 for 49) but the defense forced enough stops and the Kings made enough mistakes for the victory.
The visiting Kings had a hard time denying Derrick White and the Celtics on Friday.
The visiting Kings had a hard time denying Derrick White and the Celtics on Friday.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Baylor Scheierman and Anfernee Simons both scored 16 points, while former King Neemias Queta posted his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Zach LaVine led Sacramento with 17 points.
The Celtics made just three field goals in the first eight minutes of the third quarter but still built on their halftime lead, an example of the Kings’ offensive ineptitude.
DeMar DeRozan, a Celtics nemesis from his days in Toronto, missed eight of his 10 shots. Former Celtics Dennis Schröder missed 10 of his first 11 shots.
LaVine, believed to be on the trade block, scored 17 points while Malik Monk, also on the block, added 12. The Celtics led by as many as 31 (85-54) on an Simons jumper but the Kings closed out the quarter on a 12-4 run, including a buzzer-beating jumper from Maxime Raynaud.
Pritchard led Boston with 26 points but the Celtics were just 6-for-24 shooting in the third period.
Jayson Tatum (right) was on hand for the Celtics' win over the visiting Kings on Friday.
Jayson Tatum (right) was on hand for the Celtics' win over the visiting Kings on Friday.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Kings showed life to begin the second period, going on a 15-7 run behind a pair of buckets from Monk to slice the Celtics’ lead to 47-40. That would be the last gasp from Sacramento, which scored 6 points in the final 8:12 of the quarter as the Celtics padded their lead to 72-46 with a 25-6 run.
Pritchard was in full control, scoring 22 points on 9-for-11 shooting and splashing four 3-pointers in the first half. Ten Celtics scored in the first half as they shot 65 percent and limited the Kings to 32 percent.
Scheierman, getting the start in place of Brown, added 10 points on a pair of triples while Queta added 8 points and six rebounds.
After making just nine 3-pointers in Wednesday’s loss to Atlanta, the Celtics nailed 11 in the first half.
After a flat performance Wednesday against the Hawks, the Celtics were determined to begin Friday with more energy and they began punching first and never relented.
Queta began with consecutive alley-oops as the Celtics sought to capitalize on the absence of Sacramento big man Domantas Sabonis. The rest of the starters took turns against a ragged Sacramento defense, which was showing the signs of a last-second loss to the 76ers on Thursday.
Neemias Queta (88) puts up a reverse layup during the Celtics' home win Friday night.
Neemias Queta (88) puts up a reverse layup during the Celtics' home win Friday night.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The result was a 40-point first quarter for the Celtics on 17-for-24 shooting. The lead was only 15 because the Celtics put the Kings on the free throw line 12 times in the period. Sacramento converted 10 free throws in the opening period but just six field goals.
The offense sparkled despite the absence of Brown, who was ruled out with knee and hamstring injuries. Jayson Tatum, who made news this week by admitting he’s pondering whether to return this season from a torn Achilles, occupied his customary bench seat.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.