If you like the NBA in 2021, you should be rooting for the Jazz (29-10 overall, 13-8 away)-who currently own the league's best record-assuming that you're not just a bandwagon Lakers (27-13) or Nets (27-13) fan. Not to sound like your grandfather or a lame high school coach but they play the game the right way: they have a bunch of good players that compete and they share the basketball. This being a superstar driven league, sorry Mormons but we already know how this will sadly end for them-with a postseason exit vs. a loaded team like Los Angeles or Brooklyn. Tonight at the TD Garden, they beat the Celtics (20-19 overall, 12-6 home) 117-109 to sweep the two-game season series. Haha needless to say, I don't think that they'll be meeting in the NBA Finals this summer though that's mostly doubting the C's chances of getting anywhere close to that level.
Boston actually led by two points (79-77) going into the fourth quarter but like many other times in this disappointing season, they faded when the pressure ratcheted up on them. Utah exploded in the fourth quarter, outscoring the home team 40-30. Honestly, it's amazing that the Celts were that close to begin with since the Jazz ended up draining nine more 3-pointers (19-10), attempting 20 more free throws (24-4!!) and hitting 19 more free throws (22-3!!) than them. Like the C's, the Jazz have an excellent pair of All-Stars in shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (team-high 21 points, 5 assists) and center Rudy Gobert (16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks) but the difference is that the supporting cast around them is far superior. It's also a bonus that they play two completely different positions. Point guard Mike Conley had 17 points and five assists, small forward Bojan Bogdanovic added 12 points and six rebounds while guard Jordan Clarkson (20 points) caught fire off the bench making five 3-pointers in 30 minutes of extended run while everyone's favorite Aussie Joe Ingles notched 14 points and five rebounds as well as a substitute.
The Celtics' dynamic duo of swingman Jayson Tatum (game-high 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) and shooting guard Jaylen Brown (28 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) were both great as they usually are but the team missed power forward Tristan Thompson who was out for the game due to the health and safety protocol. This forced head coach Brad Stevens to start Semi Ojeleye who had zero points and two rebounds in 19 minutes which is beyond pathetic. Center Daniel Theis (15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) did his best and point guard Kemba Walker (16 points, 5 assists, 2 steals) was fine but center Robert Williams (14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks) was the only guy on Boston's bench to do anything notable.
Up until the collapse at the end, it was a very entertaining regular season contest as Boston was up 22-20 after the first quarter then Utah took a slim 54-53 advantage into halftime. The Celtics came out well enough in the third quarter (26-23) but it didn't matter when they couldn't keep up in the fourth when the Jazz played at their best. It being St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday, you knew that the NBA needed the Celtics to have a game so they are in Cleveland (8, NBC Sports Boston) to play the Cavaliers (14-25 overall, 9-10 home). After a decent start to the season, the Cavs have plummeted down the standings which is par for the course without LeBron James. They have lost their last four games and center Andre Drummond is still sitting on their bench in street clothes waiting to be traded or bought out. What a life! It's the second night of a back-to-back for both clubs so they are on an even playing field. Also, they both had to travel since Cleveland was in Miami (22-18) for a 113-98 loss on Tuesday. I'm not predicting it will happen but a Celtics loss to that garbage team on St. Patrick's Day would be too perfect in 2021.
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