Robert Williams Returns, Celtics Nearly at Full-Strength vs. Kings

With the Sixers losing to the Bulls Monday night, the Celtics moved back into the two seed in the Eastern Conference. At 49-23, Boston is half a game ahead of Philadelphia, who's 48-23. The two will face off at Wells Fargo Center on Apr. 4.

The Celtics remain 2.5 games behind the Bucks, who they'll play in Milwaukee on Mar. 30. The hosts, coming from Indiana, will be on the second night of a back-to-back.

But the defending Eastern Conference champions can't look ahead. They must focus on the present and cleaning up internal issues, like improving their crunch-time defense.

Boston is 21st in opponent points per game in the final five minutes of matchups that are within five, yielding 9.4 points per contest. The Celtics are surrendering 12 points per game in crunch time since the All-Star break, which ranks 22nd.

It helps that as they close out their six-game road trip, they'll get Robert Williams back for Tuesday's tilt against the Kings. The Timelord missed eight-consecutive contests due to a left hamstring strain.

Boston will have its starting lineup intact as Al Horford returns after missing Saturday's loss to the Jazz, with it being the second half of a back-to-back.

Marcus Smart is also available after not playing in Utah due to a left hip contusion.

As the Celtics aim to end their road trip with a 4-2 record, the only player to suit up for them this season who's inactive is Payton Pritchard, who will miss his seventh-straight game due to left heel pain.