Celtics 119, Jazz 109

 

The Celtics underperformed in the first quarter this time, but only by 7 points - they're getting better at managing those random sub-par quarters.

Meanwhile, they beat the Utah Jazz last night by 10. Brown's 30-point game streak ended, but he got 23 and White scored 27. The bench was hot from outside the paint, with Garza going 2-2 on threes, González 1-2, and Simons 4-10. They gave González 17 minutes playing time, but it was Simons who was the impact played with a +27 while on the court. The Celtics outrebounded the Jazz, 44-40, and had 9 blocked shots, seven of them by Mr. White, to the Jazz' 3.

My prescription for the Celtics to win remains the same: outrebound your opponent, improve your three-point percentage, and give González playing time. 

Boston's next game is in Sacramento, and if I were on the team, I'd get to California ASAP, because it's GOT to be a lot more fun celebrating New Year's Eve there than in Salt Lake. Ever see the movie SLC Punk? Case closed.