Anfernee Simons

Simons has made improvements on both sides of the ball this season, but still remains a trade candidate as the deadline approaches.

Sacramento Kings (12-37, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (29-18, third in the Eastern Conference)Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -11.5; over/under is 221.5BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento looks to stop its seven-game skid with a victory over Boston.The Celtics are 14-8 on their home court. Boston has a 4-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.The Kings are 3-21 on the road. Sacramento has a 5-24 record in games decided by 10 points or more.The Celtics score 116.4 points per game, 4.2 fewer points than the 120.6 the Kings allow. The Kings average 110.5 points per game, 0.4 more than the 110.1 the Celtics allow to opponents.The teams meet for the second time this season. The Celtics won 120-106 in the last matchup on Jan. 2.TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Celtics. Anfernee Simons is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games.Dennis Schroder is scoring 13.0 points per game and averaging 3.0 rebounds for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 21.7 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 5-5, averaging 111.3 points, 47.4 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.Kings: 3-7, averaging 113.2 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points.INJURIES: Celtics: Jaylen Brown: day to day (hamstring), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Neemias Queta: day to day (illness).Kings: Russell Westbrook: day to day (illness), Keegan Murray: out (ankle), Malik Monk: day to day (ankle).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The steady improvement of the Celtics guard s defense can t go unnoticed

Simons helped nearly spoil Derek Rose night in Chicago by doing his best impression, getting downhill and attacking the rim in addition to supplying his usual barrage of three-pointers. It was his first 20-point effort since going off for 39 points against the Heat back on January 15. The 26-year-old scoring machine contributed a strong all-around fantasy effort in this one, supplying a handful of rebounds, assists and steals. He remains a defensive liability but he's capable of scoring in bunches when he gets hot.

Boston Celtics (26-15, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (30-10, first in the Eastern Conference)Detroit; Monday, 8 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -4.5; over/under is 227.5BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the Detroit Pistons after Jaylen Brown scored 41 points in the Celtics' 132-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.The Pistons have gone 21-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit leads the Eastern Conference with 57.1 points in the paint led by Jalen Duren averaging 13.3.The Celtics are 19-9 in conference matchups. Boston leads the Eastern Conference giving up only 110.1 points per game while holding opponents to 44.8% shooting.The Pistons make 48.0% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.2 percentage points higher than the Celtics have allowed to their opponents (44.8%). The Celtics score 6.7 more points per game (117.0) than the Pistons give up (110.3).The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pistons won 112-105 in the last matchup on Dec. 16. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points, and Brown led the Celtics with 34 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Cunningham is averaging 25.9 points, six rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 12.2 points over the past 10 games.Brown is averaging 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Celtics. Anfernee Simons is averaging 18 points and 3.4 assists over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 6-4, averaging 113.2 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 11.9 steals and 8.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.1 points per game.Celtics: 7-3, averaging 118.7 points, 48.1 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 6.4 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points.INJURIES: Pistons: Tobias Harris: day to day (undisclosed).Celtics: Josh Minott: day to day (ankle), Payton Pritchard: day to day (ankle), Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Chris Boucher: day to day (back).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.