Post by cole on Feb 9, 2021 19:13:16 GMT -5
Utah may have the best record in the league. Can the Celtics figure them out?
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz Game #23 2/9/21
The Celtics save the best for last as they take on the first place Utah Jazz to end their Western road trip.
By flceltsfan
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Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics finally reach the fifth and final game of this road trip as they take on the Jazz in Utah. These two teams were 1-1 last season with each team winning on the road. Their second game was just days before the NBA shut down due to the pandemic. The Celtics are 2-2 on the trip so far and need to win this game to give them a winning record on the trip.
The Celtics are 4th in the East, 4 games behind the 76ers, who are in first place. They are 7-7 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 3-4 against Western Conference teams. As of Monday, the Jazz are 1st in the NBA, 1 game ahead of the Lakers in the West. They are 9-2 at home and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are on a 4 game win streak.
The Jazz are the only team in the league who are in the top 5 in both offensive rating (115.7) and defensive rating (107.4). They also have the highest net rating in the league at 8.4. The Celtics are 58-42 all time vs the Jazz and they are 22-28 all time in Utah.
Jaylen Brown has missed the last two games with a sore knee. He is listed as a game time decision for this game and I’m being optimistic and listing him in the starting lineup. Grant Williams will likely get the start if Brown can’t play. Marcus Smart (calf) and Romeo Langford (wrist) both remain out.
Mike Conley injured his hamstring in Friday’s game vs the Hornets and is expected to miss this game as well. Joe Ingles started in his place on Sunday and will likely do so again in this game. Elijah Hughes (ankle) and Juwan Morgan (illness) are both questionable for this game.
The Celtics are 4th in the East, 4 games behind the 76ers, who are in first place. They are 7-7 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 3-4 against Western Conference teams. As of Monday, the Jazz are 1st in the NBA, 1 game ahead of the Lakers in the West. They are 9-2 at home and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are on a 4 game win streak.
The Jazz are the only team in the league who are in the top 5 in both offensive rating (115.7) and defensive rating (107.4). They also have the highest net rating in the league at 8.4. The Celtics are 58-42 all time vs the Jazz and they are 22-28 all time in Utah.
Jaylen Brown has missed the last two games with a sore knee. He is listed as a game time decision for this game and I’m being optimistic and listing him in the starting lineup. Grant Williams will likely get the start if Brown can’t play. Marcus Smart (calf) and Romeo Langford (wrist) both remain out.
Mike Conley injured his hamstring in Friday’s game vs the Hornets and is expected to miss this game as well. Joe Ingles started in his place on Sunday and will likely do so again in this game. Elijah Hughes (ankle) and Juwan Morgan (illness) are both questionable for this game.
Key Matchups
Kemba Walker vs Donovan Mitchell
With Conley out, Dovovan Mitchell will move up to the point guard spot. He is averaging 23.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He is shooting 43% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to find a way to slow Mitchell and the Jazz offense down if they hope to win this game. Hopefully Kemba can get is own offense back on track in this game.
Tristan Thompson vs Rudy Gobert
Gobert is averaging 13.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. Gobert is a beast inside. He leads the league in blocks per game and is 3rd in the league in rebounding. He is shooting 61% from the field but has not attempted a 3 pointer this season. If the Celtics want to win this game, they need to somehow draw him away from the paint.
Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Bojan Bogdanovic
Bogdanovic is averaging 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He is shooting 43% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. He scored a season high 32 points on 1/29 vs the Mavericks. Last season, he averaged.20.2 points per game. Jayson is going to need a big game for the Celtics to beat the Jazz.
Player to Watch
Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson is a candidate for 6th Man of the Year. He is averaging 17.6 points off the bench. He is shooting 46% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. He is scoring the most of any player off the bench. Hopefully the Celtics will get someone off the bench who can counter Clarkson’s contributions.
