The Boston Celtics (50-19) are back on the road for a six-game trip out west starting in Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz (16-54). The two teams met just a couple of weeks ago in Boston where the Celtics got the better of the Jazz 114-108.
Back in Boston, the Celtics had a 21-point lead going into the fourth quarter thanks to a 37-22 third quarter. Unfortunately, the Jazz stormed back to make it a close game which meant more minutes for the legs of some of the key players. However, Boston did have success in one particular matchup through the night which leads me to the first point.
1. Will the Celtics target Walker Kessler?
The Celtics had plenty of success “hunting the seal” in Kessler making him defend all three levels. Most notably, it was Jaylen Brown who had a ton of success when Kessler switched on him.
Only up three late in the game, Brown had Kessler guarding him. Instead of settling for a jump shot, Brown took Kessler off the dribble and put him on a poster.
After missing Tuesday’s game against the Nets with a back injury, if Brown is good to go, that is a matchup I’d look out for. Brown is currently averaging 22.8 points per game to go along with 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists. However, over the last four games he appeared in, he’s only averaged 18.7 points per game. If Brown’s healthy enough to play, I expect a big performance from him. And if it’s a close game, I wouldn’t mind seeing another game-winner like he had a few years ago.
2. Can Porzingis keep it rolling?
Since coming back from his illness, Porzingis has said it’s taken some time to get his conditioning back to where it needs to be. With that said, as the number one option against the Nets with Brown and Tatum out, Porzingis had another good game. The big man put up 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks on Tuesday.
“But I haven’t been this sick for probably ever in my life. So, I was really, for a week, really just laying at home trying to recover. And after that, I had lingering fatigue — and I still have it a little bit — but at least I’m not getting into shape to be able to play,” Porzingis said in his return against the Nets last week.
“But after each workout I was, boom, big crash. I was really, really fatigued. Like, not normal. So, yeah, it’s taking a little bit longer, but I’m doing everything, all my bio-hacking stuff that I know, and just trying to get back in the best shape possible.”
He’s only been back for two games, both against the Nets, but he’s put up 24 and 25 respectively. Now going out west, the big challenge for Porzingis and the Celtics is to see where his conditioning is when he plays at high altitude. Since the Celtics have a day between the Jazz game and the Blazers game I don’t expect Porzingis to sit one game; however, if he’s not feeling great after the Jazz game it’s best for him to sit one out and let his body recover.
3. How will Boston contain the Jazz big men?
The Celtics will have a clear offensive game plan to counter the Jazz bigs, but how will they defend them? The Jazz have a lot of quality in their big men which includes Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and John Collins.
Markkanen missed the game against the Wizards on Wednesday evening due to personal reasons. The Jazz were also without Collins (left ankle sprain) on the night. Markkanen did play the game before against the Chicago Bulls, but Collins did not.
If Collins is good to go, the C’s will need to do a better job on him than the last time they faced. In their previous meeting, Collins went off for 28 points and 10 rebounds. Collins is always active on both sides of the glass meaning it’s important for everyone on the Celtics to go for the rebound and not just leave it for the big men.
Good news for Celtics fans, Tatum this season has improved as a rebounder averaging 8.7 rebounds per game which leads the team.
The last big man Boston will need to contain is their rookie Kyle Filipowski. Granted he only scored six points back in Boston, but the other night, he led the team with 21 points in the Jazz’s win over the Wizards.
If the Celtics can keep the big men quiet, then Boston’s depth and superiority in the backcourt should be enough to defeat Utah.
