Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The Boston Celtics have alternated wins and losses in their last five games.
• The Utah Jazz are on a four-game winning streak, looking to make it five!
• This is the first meeting between these two teams this season.

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Celtics vs Jazz Predictions and Picks

The Utah Jazz are a devastating two-way threat that has all it takes to beat the short-handed Boston Celtics. While Boston’s scoring prowess is notable, their struggles defending the paint will hurt them against the Jazz.

Pick:

Utah Jazz to Win (-167)

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How to Watch Celtics vs Jazz

Head-to-Head: Celtics vs Jazz

Boston Must Clean Up Their Turnovers

The Boston Celtics are an experienced team, owing to the fact that their turnovers have a small affect on wins and losses. Despite that, they are giving up possessions in unnecessary fashion, costing them their fair share of victories.

Their turnover issues stem from the prolonged absence of Kemba Walker, and the reliance on rookie point guard Peyton Pritchard and combo guard Marcus Smart. Walker’s return has softened the blow, but they are still fifteenth overall in turnovers per game.

With pressure mounting on young stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, they must improve on their approximately 10% turnover rate.

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Utah’s Defence is the Key

It’s no secret that the Utah Jazz are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. However, against a team as disciplined and singularly talented as the Celtics, it will be the Jazz’s individuals that can win them the day on the defensive end.

According to FiveThirtyEight, three Utah Jazz players stand out on the defensive side of the ball. Their RAPTOR algorithm highlights Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Royce O’Neale as some of the league’s best defenders – with Gobert ranking second overall at a +6.7.

With impact defenders at every tier of the defence, the Jazz is uniquely equipped to take on the Celtics. Whether they attack from the perimeter, paint, or mid-range, the Jazz have a stopper in play.

Celtics Key Player: (G) Kemba Walker

back ?

RT to vote for @KembaWalker #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/SIbH4EfpYH

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 6, 2021

Kemba Walker came into the Celtics team to be a game changer for them on offence, but is yet to find his groove since returning from injury.

In his last match against the Phoenix Suns, Walker was dreadful from the field. Walker was four of 20 from the field, while shooting a paltry four of 11 from three. His inefficiency compounded by three turnovers, more is expected of Walker.

At his size, Walker can really struggle against teams with strong paint protectors. With Mike Conley guarding him and Rudy Gobert meeting him at the rim, Walker will have to be smart with the ball to help the Celtics to a victory.

Jazz Key Player: (G) Donovan Mitchell

?️ @spidadmitchell‘s game-high 32 PTS fuels the @utahjazz win! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/5hK8ICXA6M

— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021

Donovan Mitchell continues his stellar play, as his Utah Jazz now sit at the top of the Western Conference. 9-1 in their last ten games, Mitchell has been excellent.

Over the Jazz’s last ten games, which includes two inactive matches for Mitchell, the Jazz star man is averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 43.7% shooting from the field and 47.6% from three.

While Mitchell’s defence still needs a lot of work, he’s proving himself to be a dangerous scoring threat no matter the opposition. With the Celtics’ sound defensive strategy, Mitchell will be put to the test.