Despite missing key rotation players, the Boston Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum‘s 38 points and Derrick White‘s sharpshooting, secured a 123-107 victory over the Utah Jazz during Tuesday’s NBA action. The win highlighted Boston’s depth and shooting prowess, even in the absence of Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford.
“The law of averages, you play so many games you won’t be perfect every night. You have to stick with it and trust that you’re going to have more good days than bad,” Tatum said about the Celtics shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.
Contributions from Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser, who added 16 and 14 points respectively, helped the Celtics to make 20 3-pointers and dominate the Jazz in second-chance points, showcasing the team’s comprehensive strength and strategic play.
“We won that battle on the boards and we needed to,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz Updates
Despite a strong start from Keyonte George and notable performances from Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, the Jazz struggled to overcome their injuries and the Celtics’ offensive onslaught. Missing leading scorer Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks, Utah faced challenges in maintaining momentum, especially during a pivotal 20-point run by Boston.
“We have a lot of elite defenders and a lot of guys that are competing on both sides of the ball. When you have guys doing things like that, tt just drives you to compete more defensively it’s just a lot of fun,” White said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz Updates
The Celtics demonstrated their defensive capabilities and resilience, turning up the pressure to thwart any comeback attempts by the Jazz. This defensive fortitude, combined with efficient scoring, underscored Boston’s ability to maintain control and secure victories, even in challenging situations.
“We have a lot of fight in us,” George said. “But (Boston) was hitting shots. We got stagnant a little bit and the ball wasn’t going in the hoop.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz Updates
The victory capped off a successful five-game road trip for the Celtics, who have shown remarkable efficiency in back-to-back games, improving their record in such scenarios to an impressive 9-2. This win also underscored the team’s adaptability and depth, as they navigated injuries and lineup changes with confidence.
“I think the last game of a road trip is always important. This was a big win, we lost here last year, and a lot of guys got some minutes tonight and stepped up big,” Tatum said.
As both teams look ahead, the Celtics aim to continue their strong form against the Phoenix Suns, while the Jazz hope to bounce back against the Atlanta Hawks, each seeking to build on their respective narratives as the season progresses.
