The Boston Celtics (51-19) blew the game wide open in the fourth quarter, securing their fourth consecutive win and ninth in the last ten games, in a dominant 121-99 victory against the Utah Jazz (16-55) on March 22.
Boston Celtics Top Performers:
Kristaps Porzingis 27 PTS | 10 REB | 6 AST | 50.0 FPS
KP has been on an impressive tear since returning from an eight-game absence, starting with a 24-point outing and then exploding for 25+ points and 10 rebounds in under 30 minutes in his last two games—making him just the fourth player in NBA history to do so. However, his momentum may be temporarily stalled as he’s likely to miss another game this week with the team heading into a back-to-back stretch.
Jayson Tatum 26 PTS | 6 REB | 6 AST | 45.2 FPS
Tatum has missed a couple of games recently due to a knee issue but has maintained his solid rebounding and playmaking numbers while also recording his fifth 25+ point game in his last six despite some shooting struggles and committing six turnovers. However, he’s likely to miss another game with a back-to-back coming up.
Payton Pritchard 18 PTS | 4 3PM | 4 AST | 28.4 FPS
Pritchard overcame a sluggish start, shooting just 1-for-6 from three, with a strong performance in the second half. He’s also struggled through a tough three-game stretch, but he’s bounced back in his last three games, shooting well from three and making decent contributions in other areas. With a favorable schedule ahead, he’s poised to keep trending upward.
Jrue Holiday 8 PTS | 4 AST | 3 STL | 24.4 FPS
Holiday has ramped up his production lately, especially on the defensive end where he recorded 3+ stocks in six-straight games. He’s also been more effective as a playmaker, averaging 10 assists in two games, though he had a tough time maintaining that level today. Despite these positives, he’s still facing challenges on the offensive side, particularly with his three-point shooting, and has only scored around 10 points across six games this month.
Sam Hauser 14 PTS | 4 3PM | 1 STL | 18.2 FPS
Hauser has been a regular in the rotation recently, even if his contributions have been modest. However, his perimeter shooting keeps him relevant, and he’s likely to take on a larger role in the upcoming back-to-back games.
Utah Jazz Top Performers:
Collin Sexton 30 PTS | 4 3PM | 3 AST | 36.9 FPS
Sexton has been red-hot on offense in his last two games. He’s nearly unstoppable from the field, going 7-for-8 against the Wizards and shooting an impressive 12-for-16 against the Celtics. He’s also been sharp from three, knocking down 6 threes after making just 4 to start the month. With better free-throw shooting, he could elevate his scoring to an even higher level. However, his hot streak will face a serious challenge with a tough set of opponents in the upcoming games.
Walker Kessler 8 PTS | 11 REB | 6 AST | 32.2 FPS
Kessler got off to a strong start, nearly posting a double-double while also recording 4 assists in the first half. However, his production dropped after the break with the team purposely losing. Even so, he remains one of the best rebounders of the league.
Keyonte George 19 PTS | 4 REB | 7 AST | 31.3 FPS
George has been on a roll lately, averaging 18 points with solid shooting percentages in his last three outings after missing four straight games. But given his inconsistent play this season, it’s hard to see him keeping this scoring level on a regular basis.
Johnny Juzang 11 PTS | 2 REB | 3 STL | 22.9 FPS
Juzang has been a key part of the bench lately, scoring around double-digits in his last five games. But his production remains too modest to be worth rostering.
Isaiah Collier 5 PTS | 4 REB | 5 AST | 18.3 FPS
Collier has become a steadier playmaker lately, maintaining solid assists and cutting down on turnovers. His scoring and shooting percentages are still areas for improvement but with injuries and the workload management of players, he’s expected to stay heavily involved in the rotation for the rest of the season.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Derrick White 11 PTS | 4 AST | 3 STL
White had a quieter game today, lacking his usual sharpness and playing a smaller role in the offense after scoring 18+ points in his previous four games. However, he continued to contribute in various areas and stood out defensively, nearly averaging 3 stocks over six games.
