Celtics 99, Kings 81: Paul Pierce paced a balanced attack with 16 points as host Boston defeated Sacramento in a walk.

Pierce led six Celtics in double figures as Boston won its second straight game since losing point guard Rajon Rondo to a season-ending knee injury. Kevin Garnett had 13 points while Brandon Bass, Jeff Green and Jason Terry had 12 apiece.

Tyreke Evans had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who fell to 1-2 on their six-game road trip. DeMarcus Cousins added 13 points and Thomas Robinson had 11.

Trailing by two after an uninspired first quarter, Boston trounced Sacramento 37-14 in the second to carry a 59-38 advantage into the break. Green scored eight points in a 2:20 span early in the period to put the Celtics ahead, and Pierce added a three-point play to cap a stretch of 14 consecutive made field goals to open the period.

Boston continued rolling in the third quarter, going ahead by as many as 28 points on a pair of Courtney Lee clear path free throws before settling for a 80-60 advantage entering the fourth. Sacramento scored seven straight points early in the final period to cut into the deficit, but Pierce answered with a mid-range jumper and added a 12-footer late in the frame to effectively put the game away.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Celtics shot a season-high 80 percent from the field in their dominant second quarter, while the 37 points also was a season high. ... Boston PF Jared Sullinger left in the first quarter with back spasms and did not return. ... Cousins, who came into the night averaging 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in his last four games, shot 4-for-12 from the field while grabbing six boards.