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Celtics Dethrone Kings 111-94

Last week, the Sacramento Kings beat the Celtics.

Last week, the Celtics didn't have Kenny Anderson.

"He's confident and fitting in great with us so far," Boston forward Walter McCarty said Wednesday night after Anderson, in his first home game with the team, led the Celtics to a 111-94 victory over Sacramento.

"Chauncey (Billups) did a great job with us, but there's no telling what might have happened if he (Anderson) had been with us all year."

Acquired from Toronto for Billups in a seven-player deal on Feb. 18, Anderson had 21 points and nine assists. The newest Celtic got a steal just eight seconds into the game and had five points and four assists in his first shift.

He was substituted out with 3:50 left in the first period to a solid ovation from the sparse crowd; when it died down, one fan yelled, "Welcome to Boston, Ken. You're a player."

"He's a very good addition for them," said Kings coach Eddie Jordan concurred. "He gives them a dimension Chauncey doesn't. ... He's going to be more consistent that Chauncey."

Anderson, who's in his seventh NBA season, said he wasn't at all nervous in his home debut in Boston - until he got a call from his mother before the game.

"My mom never calls. She made me a little nervous by calling," he said. "She was paying attention to my game tonight, and she hardly ever does that."

Antoine Walker scored 25 points to lead the Celtics, who beat Sacramento for the first time in four tries. Ron Mercer had 15 points, six assists, six rebounds and five of Boston's 17 steals for Boston.

Billy Owens had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento, which lost its fourth straight. Mitch Richmond added 19 points for the Kings.

"Adding Anderson contributed to it," forward Corliss Williamson said, "but also we haven't been playing (well) on the road."

Anderson's early efforts helped the Celtics take a 26-13 lead with 3:34 left in the first quarter, but the Kings had tied it 37-37 midway through the second.

Sacramento was within six points early in the third period but the Celtics slowly built the lead to 13 points and then scored eight of the last nine points of the quarter to pull ahead 88-68.
The Kings came within 13 on a Richmond 3-pointer in the fourth before Anderson hit a runner in the lane with 3:38 left that turned back their last run.

Notes: Sacramento had beaten the Celtics three consecutive times. Last year's victory was its first in Boston in 17 years. ... Greg Minor started his sixth game of the season. ... Antoine Walker made 10 of 23 shots from the field. ... The Kings are 5-23 on the road.

©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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