Three issues to look out for in opposition to the Jazz

The Boston Celtics (50-19) are again on the highway for a six-game journey out west beginning in Salt Lake Metropolis to tackle the Utah Jazz (16-54). The 2 groups met simply a few weeks in the past in Boston the place the Celtics received the higher of the Jazz 114-108.

Again in Boston, the Celtics had a 21-point lead going into the fourth quarter because of a 37-22 third quarter. Sadly, the Jazz stormed again to make it a detailed sport which meant extra minutes for the legs of a few of the key gamers. Nevertheless, Boston did have success in a single specific matchup by means of the evening which leads me to the primary level.

1. Will the Celtics goal Walker Kessler?

The Celtics had loads of success “searching the seal” in Kessler making him defend all three ranges. Most notably, it was Jaylen Brown who had a ton of success when Kessler switched on him.

Solely up three late within the sport, Brown had Kessler guarding him. As a substitute of settling for a bounce shot, Brown took Kessler off the dribble and put him on a poster.

After lacking Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Nets with a again damage, if Brown is nice to go, that may be a matchup I’d look out for. Brown is presently averaging 22.8 factors per sport to associate with 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Nevertheless, during the last 4 video games he appeared in, he’s solely averaged 18.7 factors per sport. If Brown’s wholesome sufficient to play, I count on a giant efficiency from him. And if it’s a detailed sport, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing one other game-winner like he had just a few years in the past.

2. Can Porzingis hold it rolling?

Since getting back from his sickness, Porzingis has mentioned it’s taken a while to get his conditioning again to the place it must be. With that mentioned, because the primary choice in opposition to the Nets with Brown and Tatum out, Porzingis had one other good sport. The massive man put up 25 factors, 13 rebounds, and three blocks on Tuesday.

“However I haven’t been this sick for most likely ever in my life. So, I used to be actually, for every week, actually simply laying at house attempting to recuperate. And after that, I had lingering fatigue — and I nonetheless have it somewhat bit — however at the least I’m not moving into form to have the ability to play,” Porzingis mentioned in his return in opposition to the Nets final week.

“However after every exercise I used to be, increase, massive crash. I used to be actually, actually fatigued. Like, not regular. So, yeah, it’s taking somewhat bit longer, however I’m doing every little thing, all my bio-hacking stuff that I do know, and simply attempting to get again in one of the best form attainable.”

He’s solely been again for 2 video games, each in opposition to the Nets, however he’s put up 24 and 25 respectively. Now going out west, the large problem for Porzingis and the Celtics is to see the place his conditioning is when he performs at excessive altitude. Because the Celtics have a day between the Jazz sport and the Blazers sport I don’t count on Porzingis to sit down one sport; nevertheless, if he’s not feeling nice after the Jazz sport it’s greatest for him to sit down one out and let his physique recuperate.

3. How will Boston include the Jazz massive males?

The Celtics may have a transparent offensive sport plan to counter the Jazz bigs, however how will they defend them? The Jazz have plenty of high quality of their massive males which incorporates Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and John Collins.

Markkanen missed the sport in opposition to the Wizards on Wednesday night attributable to private causes. The Jazz had been additionally with out Collins (left ankle sprain) on the evening. Markkanen did play the sport earlier than in opposition to the Chicago Bulls, however Collins didn’t.

If Collins is nice to go, the C’s might want to do a greater job on him than the final time they confronted. Of their earlier assembly, Collins went off for 28 factors and 10 rebounds. Collins is at all times energetic on either side of the glass which means it’s essential for everybody on the Celtics to go for the rebound and never simply depart it for the large males.

Excellent news for Celtics followers, Tatum this season has improved as a rebounder averaging 8.7 rebounds per sport which leads the crew.

The final massive man Boston might want to include is their rookie Kyle Filipowski. Granted he solely scored six factors again in Boston, however the different evening, he led the crew with 21 factors within the Jazz’s win over the Wizards.

If the Celtics can hold the large males quiet, then Boston’s depth and superiority within the backcourt needs to be sufficient to defeat Utah.