Utah Jazz Preview: Jazz Host the Defending Champion Boston Celtics Friday Night

Peter Creveling-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics are in town for a Friday night matchup with the Utah Jazz. The Celtics are 50-19, have won 3 straight games, are the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference, and have the 3rd best record in the NBA. The Jazz are 16-54, had lost 10 straight before Wednesday night’s victory, and own the 2nd worst record in the NBA. Needless to say, these two teams are not the same.

Key players

Keyonte George – Key is averaging 16.9 points per game and is shooting the ball from deep much better as of late. Key is now up to 35% from 3.

Kyle Filipowski – Flip has already proven he fell way further in the draft than he needed to. Kyle is shooting just under 40% from 3 and is coming off a 4-6 from deep night against the Wizards on Wednesday.

Jayson Tatum – Tatum is a lock for 1st team All-NBA. He leads the Celtics in points (27.1), rebounds (8.7), and assists (5.9). He’s currently listed as day to day with a back injury, he is expected to play tonight.

Injury report

Conclusion

Including this game, the Jazz have just 12 games left in the season. They don’t have much to prove; this team is obviously doing their best to get as high a draft pick as possible. Games like today are an excellent opportunity to get the young guys more minutes. I’m looking forward to watching Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, Cody Williams, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and the rest of this young Jazz core.

Who: Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz