Celtics-Jazz preview: Boston's electric offense faces Utah's top-ranked D

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These past two Celtics games have shown both a team that can be pitiful one night (at Sacramento) and one with purpose (at Portland) the next.

While much of Boston’s inconsistent play is of their own doing, that’s unlikely to be the case tonight against the Utah Jazz.

Like the Celtics (34-19), Utah (34-20) has emerged as one of the top teams in their conference by excelling on one of the floor.

For Boston, they have played well offensively and rank among the league’s top 10 in several offensive categories such as points (108.2, seventh); assists (25.2, second); effective field-goal percentage (.524, ninth);  as well as 3-pointers made (12.1, fourth); 3-pointers attempted (33.2, second) and 3-point percentage (.365, 10th). while struggling at times to find their defensive groove. Meanwhile, Utah has been rock-solid when it comes to defense where they give up a league-low 95.6 points per game.

Boston ranks among the NBA’s highest-scoring teams (108.2 points per game, seventh in the NBA) but have struggled to play consistent defense other than a game or two here and there.

Of course the catalyst to Boston’s impressive offense is Isaiah Thomas, a league MVP who is second in the league in points per game (29.9) which includes him averaging a league-best 10.7 points per game in the fourth quarter.

They face a Utah Jazz team that defensively, is even more impressive.

Utah allows a league-low 95.7 points per game while also ranking among the NBA’s leaders in fewest opponent fast break points (10.9, second); opponent points in the paint (40.9, seventh) in addition to limiting teams to league-lows in opponent assists (17.7) and effective field-goal percentage (.486).

A key to Utah’s defense has been Rudy Gobert, who is in the running for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s averaging a double-double of 13.0 points and 12.6 rebounds, with his rebounding average being fifth-best in the NBA. Gobert is also averaging an NBA-leading 2.5 blocked shots per game.

It is unclear if the Celtics will have to play without Jae Crowder (family health issues) for the second straight game, or whether he will rejoin the team for tonight’s game.

Boston is already without Avery Bradley, whose right Achilles' injury prevented him from making the trip out West. While the Celtics have not given a specific timetable for his return, it’s looking like it will be sometime after the All-Star break.

The Jazz have had their share of injuries to key players that they have had to play through this season as well.

Jazz guard Rodney Hood (knee) is expected to be out tonight, which would be his fifth game in a row he's missed. George Hill (toe), who did not play in Utah’s overtime loss at Dallas on Thursday, is questionable.

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