In the National Basketball Association, the Utah Jazz are at the Boston Celtics on Friday. The Utah Jazz are 16-19 on the season, which is 12th in the West. The Jazz are coming into the game on a three game winning streak. Utah scored 154 in an overtime win over the Pistons on Wednesday.
For Boston, they are 26-7 on the season. The Celtics have the best record in the Eastern Conference. Boston lost on the road in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
This is the first meeting between these two teams this season. The last time they played was in March of 2023, with the Celtics beating the Jazz 122-114. The Boston Celtics are -14.5 in this game over the Utah Jazz.
Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen leads the Utah Jazz offensive attack. The offense for Utah is scoring 132.6 points per game over their last three games; all wins. On the season, Utah is scoring 114.9 points per game. Markkanen is the top scorer on the season. In 25 games, he is scoring more than 23 points per game.
Second for Utah has been Jordan Clarkson. Making just 19 starts on the season, Clarkson is over 17 points per game. Collin Sexton and John Collins are also adding 15.9 and 13.7 points respectively to the Jazz. Utah is the fourth best free throw shooting in the NBA, making over 82% of them.
Utah is starting a three game road trip. The Jazz have the 76ers and Bucks next, before coming home to host the Nuggets on January 10th. This four game stretch is arguably one of the toughest in all of the league.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum continues to shine as the leader for the Celtics. Tatum scored 30 points in the loss on Tuesday to the Thunder. Kristaps Porzingis had a big game for Boston as well, scoring 34 points and ripping down 10 rebounds. Derrick White added 19 points for Boston as well.
Tatum is at 27 points per game, while ripping down just shy of 9 rebounds. Porzingis, who is in his first season with the team, is now at 22.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The bench has not been strong, and was a weak point on Tuesday. Boston saw just 18 points from their bench in the loss.
Boston will have back to back road games at the Indiana Pacers after this. Following that, the Celtics host Minnesota on January 10th, and play at the Bucks on the 11th.
Celtics Top Jazz
Despite Utah playing well, the Boston Celtics are going to make quick and easy work of the Utah Jazz in this game. Boston scores a bunch early and cruises here. The Jazz have no answer for Tatum or Porzingis. We are going to bet on the Boston Celtics -14.5 over the Utah Jazz in this Friday affair. The Celtics blow the Jazz out. Enioy the game and best of luck!
