Celtics Look to Bounce Back in Utah as Jazz Aim to Keep the Upset Run Alive

Celtics Look to Bounce Back in Utah as Jazz Aim to Keep the Upset Run Alive

Celtics Look to Bounce Back in Utah as Jazz Aim to Keep the Upset Run Alive

So here’s what’s going on with this Celtics versus Jazz matchup, and it’s actually more interesting than it might look at first glance. Boston rolls into Utah on Tuesday night trying to steady itself after a rare stumble on the road. A loss in Portland on Sunday snapped a four-game winning streak, and now the Celtics are clearly being positioned as the team expected to respond. Even on the road, they’ve been set as solid favorites against a Jazz squad that’s quietly found some momentum of its own.

The Celtics come in with a 19–12 record, and despite that recent loss, it’s been clear that this team still travels well and scores efficiently. That said, injuries have played a role in shaping the storyline. Jayson Tatum is out, which shifts even more responsibility onto Jaylen Brown. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for Boston, because Brown has already shown he can carry the load. When these two teams met earlier in the season, it was Brown who stepped up in a big way, pouring in 36 points and looking comfortable attacking Utah’s defense.

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On the other side, Utah enters at 12–19 and doesn’t look like a typical underdog at home. The Jazz have already pulled off back-to-back wins against Detroit and San Antonio, and while those weren’t elite opponents, confidence has clearly been built. What really stands out is how these Jazz games tend to turn into shootouts. Utah has been involved in high-scoring contests most of the season, especially at home, where defense has often been optional and points have come fast.

That trend is a big reason why so much attention is being placed on the total score rather than just the winner. Utah allows more points per game than any team in the league, and that weakness has been exploited repeatedly. Boston, with its spacing and perimeter shooting, should have little trouble finding clean looks. At the same time, the Jazz have usually done enough offensively to keep games from getting out of hand, even when they’re trailing.

Jaylen Brown is expected to be right in the middle of everything. With Tatum sidelined, his scoring role is likely to be expanded, and another big night wouldn’t be surprising at all. Unless the game turns into a blowout early, Brown should be given every chance to attack, score, and set the tone.

When it’s all added up, this feels like a game where both teams do their part offensively. Boston should score comfortably, Utah should keep pushing the pace, and defense may once again take a back seat. A final score in the neighborhood of 130–120 feels realistic, making this matchup less about survival and more about who can keep scoring longer.

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