The Boston Celtics defeated the Utah Jazz 129-119 at the Delta Center on Tuesday night. Boston improved to 20-12, while Utah fell to 12-20.
Boston Celtics-Utah Jazz Starters
Boston’s starting lineup featured Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, and Neemias Queta. Boston ruled out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Chris Boucher (personal). Boston listed Amari Williams (hand) as day-to-day.
Utah’s starting lineup featured Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Taylor Hendricks, Lauri Markkanen, and Jusuf Nurkic. Utah ruled out Walker Kessler (shoulder), Ace Bailey (hip), Kevin Love (rest), and Georges Niang (foot).
Celtics-Jazz Recap
Utah and Boston go way back, with an old-school rivalry from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. Utah’s emergence as a formidable force clashed with Boston’s status as a dynasty.
Utah built an 18-9 lead to start the first quarter. George scored six points in three minutes. Markkanen had back-to-back rim finishes. Boston picked up the pace. Brown threw an alley-oop-like shot to Luka Garza, who finished at the rim. Utah took a 38-31 lead to end the first.
The Celtics continued to pick up the pace in the second quarter. Garza hit a corner three-pointer. Jordan Walsh soared for a putback dunk. Utah’s late heroics made headlines, such as Walter Clayton Jr.’s one-handed dunk. Utah took a 64-59 lead into halftime.
Utah recognized its NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, just days after Salt Lake City won the Winter Showcase championship. Salt Lake City’s second championship came after a 132-112 win over Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate.
The Celtics gained a narrow 67-66 advantage to open the third quarter. Boston’s early 8-2 run served as a highlight-reel moment. Pritchard scored on a takeaway. Utah inched closer but fell short. Boston took a 99-96 lead through three quarters.
Both teams exchanged leads and ties in the fourth quarter. White found the bottom of the rim to reach 21 points. George scored 37 points. Boston won 129-119 in regulation.
Final Thoughts
Boston continues its three-game road trip in Sacramento to face the Sacramento Kings on New Year’s Day at 7:00 p.m. Pacific. Boston’s recent rise can expose Sacramento’s flaws, such as a lack of offensive rhythm, an inconsistent defensive stopping power, and turnovers.
Utah begins a four-game road trip in L.A. to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on New Year’s Day at 7:30 p.m. Pacific. The matchup appears to be a battle between two bottom-feeders, but both teams’ recent rises can keep the game close.
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