Jazz 105, Celtics 103

 

The Utah Jazz (3-4) are in last place in the Northwest Conference but are first in the entire NBA in rebounding with 49.6 per game. Last night, they got 55 rebounds against the Celtics, and won the game, 105-103.

Boston managed only 36 rebounds in the loss and average only 42.6 per game, 18th in the NBA. But they're even worse on defensive rebounds, averaging only 29.6 per game, 27th in the league (fourth from last). They managed only 26 defensive rebounds last night and 10 offensive boards. The Jazz had 40 defensive and 15 offensive rebounds and that made all the difference in the game.

There was a bad officiating call late in the fourth that could have made the difference between a Celtics win and a loss, but to hang on to that as the reason for the loss is to miss the bigger picture and the reason that the Celtics are 3-5 on the season. But in any event, Utah's Keyonte George slipped and fell in the last minute of play, tripping Jaylen Brown, and no foul was called. Brown was visibly frustrated and didn't have his head in the game for the closing seconds, but the fact is the Celtics had a 10-point lead at the half, and had battled back from a seven-point deficit in the fourth to take the lead, but kept getting out-rebounded and couldn't hang on to win.

Brown finished the game with 36 points but were 0-6 on threes. Pritchard had 18 points and was 4-11 on threes. At 47.8 per game, Boston leads the league in three-points attempted, but is eighth in three-points made. The percentage complete (31.2%) is second to last in the NBA. That, along with the rebounding, is the reason the Celtics are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. 

They need more time in the paint - hang around under the net and grab more rebounds, and then drive inside and get more two-point shots, at least until the three-point shooting improves. 

Wednesday night, the Celtics host the Washington Wizards (1-6). Surely, we can beat a 1-6 team, right?

Right?