On Friday night at the Garden the 26-7 Boston Celtics welcomed the 16-19 Utah Jazz to Boston in hopes of bouncing back after their tough loss in Oklahoma City their last time out. Boston headed into this one as heavy favorites and at full strength looking to extend their lead a top the Eastern Conference.

First Quarter

The Celtics came out flying in this one going up 10-0 in the first two and a half minutes of the game with multiple players getting in on the scoring early. Boston would keep the pressure on Utah going up 12-2 with 8:21 left in the first forcing Will Hardy to call his first timeout of the game as all five of the Celtics starters scored in the first few minutes. The Celtics dominance would continue throughout the first quarter as Sam Hauser and Kristaps Porzingis were on fire from deep extending Boston’s early lead to 25-10 with 2:50 left in the first. Utah would only score 15 points in the first quarter while the Celtics would double that leading 30-15 after one.

Second Quarter

The second quarter didn’t get any better for the Jazz if anything it got worse as the Celtics offensive barrage continued. The Jazz didn’t score a point until the 8 minute mark of the second quarter while the Celtics rallied off 15 straight point extending their lead to 45-15 with 8:00 minutes to go in the half. It was coming from all angles from the Celtics Porzingis was hitting buckets, Jayson Tatum was driving to the hoop and Jaylen Brown was in control playing well on both ends.

It didn’t matter what the Jazz tried defensively the Celtics offense was just too much extending their lead to 30 multiple times as Utah continued to struggle on both ends. Tatum would score his 20th point halfway through the second quarter and on the first night of a back to back the Celtics were looking like they were in a great spot to rest some of their starters in the second half. Porzingis would score 5 straight for Boston late in the half to extend Boston’s lead to 66-33 with 1:24 to go in the half. The Celtics would end the half leading 71-40 with a much needed chance to rest their starters for most of the second half with Indiana waiting in the wings tomorrow night.

• Boston Celtics on Twitter: "arts and crafts 🎨 pic.twitter.com/bxJkiMduDM / Twitter"

  arts and crafts 🎨 pic.twitter.com/bxJkiMduDM

  Third Quarter

  The Celtics show continued throughout the third showing no signs of slowing down, Lauri Markkanen was doing everything he could to get the Jazz back into the game with 15 points 4 rebounds and 5 assists early in the third but it didn’t matter as the Celtics were on fire. A pair of Porzingis free throws with 7 minutes left in the third would keep the Celtics lead above 30 with Boston leading 86-55.

  The biggest takeaway in this one other than the Celtics offensive barrage was the spectacular defense of Jrue Holiday who struggled in Boston’s loss against Oklahoma City earlier in the week, but was doing everything right tonight. Boston would end the third quarter leading 107-75 looking to play their backups as much as possible in the last quarter.

   

• Fourth Quarter

  The fourth quarter was basically a formality at this point with the Celtics massive lead it was a chance to get a closer look at some of their bench pieces. Lamar Stevens made an immediate impact at both ends scoring and playing good defense while getting some more minutes than usual. Boston’s bench wasn’t spectacular by any means but they played well enough to keep the Jazz at bay and not have the Celtics starters come back into the game which is exactly what Joe Mazzula was hoping for. Boston would win 126-97 and head to Indiana well rested and ready to go for a battle between two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference.

   

  Scaz’s Takeaways

  • Celtics ball movement is as good as it’s been all year
  • Team defense continues to improve
  • Celtics bench continues to play well at home
  • Joe Mazzula’s strong second season continues

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