Ray Allen scored a game-high 17 points, Pierce added 16, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Boston shot only 40.8 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers. The Kings (11-16) shot 38.2 percent and didn't have a player score more than 15 points.
"A lot of good things, a lot of bad things," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "But it's a win and we'll take it."
The Celtics' top-ranked defense entered the game allowing an average of 86.6 points. Sacramento finished 32 points shy of its average by shooting 38.2 percent from the field and missing 13 of 15 3-point attempts. Pierce played tough defense on Kings forward Ron Artest, who missed 11 of 15 shots en route to 15 points. Sacramento committed 21 turnovers.
Boston has held 12 of its last 13 opponents to fewer than 100 points, and three of its last five to less than 40 percent shooting.
"Paul was phenomenal [defensively]," Rivers said. "The whole team, [too]."
Said Pierce: "I always enjoy playing against Ron Artest. He's a competitor. He makes it hard on you. He's the most difficult player I've got to match up with offensively and defensively."
The Kings tested the Celtics with some questionable physical play. Rajon Rondo was knocked hard to the floor on more than one occasion. After a disgruntled Rondo asked Kings forward-center Mikki Moore why he fouled him on one play, Moore explained that he had six fouls and he was going to use them. But what stood out was when Garnett lay on the floor after being poked in left eye and fouled hard by several Kings with 8:29 remaining.
Pierce said teams have been physical with the Celtics for the last 15-20 games. Rivers said that while there was some tough fouls and trash-talking, there was nothing that a player should be fined for, and his team shouldn't have responded to the talking.
"You've got to expect that," said Pierce of the physical play. "We've got a target on our back. We're on the road. We can't expect to get any calls. Teams are going to play physical and push us around. I thought we kept our composure late in the game and we were able to come away with the win."
Said Kings coach Reggie Theus: "Sometimes when you're not playing well you've got to be more physical. They're a great basketball team and they played extremely well."
