The Boston Celtics complete a back-to-back on the road Saturday when visiting the Utah Jazz after playing on the road Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Boston is 48-22 and first in the Atlantic division, one game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston is second in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-102 on Wednesday behind 35 points from Jaylen Brown.
Jayson Tatum is leading Boston in scoring and rebounding with averages of 30.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while Marcus Smart is the leader in assists with an average of 6.4 assists per game. Jaylen Brown is the second leading scorer with an average of 26.8 points per game and one of five players for Boston averaging double figures and scoring. The Celtics score an average of 117.5 points per game.
Utah looks to bounce back from a loss with a victory at home on Saturday when hosting Boston. The Jazz are 33-36 and fourth in the Northwest division, 13 ½ games behind first place Denver. Utah is 11th in the Western Conference but only a half game behind the 10th and final postseason qualifying spot. Utah was defeated by the Miami Heat 119-115 and has lost five of the last seven.
Lauri Markkanen is the leading scorer and rebounder for Utah with averages of 25.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, while Jordan Clarkson is the second leading scorer and leader in assists with an average of 20.8 points and 4.4 assists per game. Utah has six players averaging double figures in scoring and as a team is scoring an average of 117.2 points per game.
