Celtics Happy to Host Jazz After Three Days Off
On Wednesday night, they host the Utah Jazz, who lost three of four last week and barely emerged with a victory Monday night over the host Knicks. Boston won't be the easiest place for the Jazz to turn things around.
When and Where
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSNE)
TD Garden, Boston, Mass
Records
Jazz (3-4, 4th place in Northwest Division)
Head To Head
Skinny
This Jazz team is built around two cornerstones, point guard Deron Williams and sixth-man forward Paul Millsap, each contractually locked in through 2012. But this is a contract year for their star big man, Carlos Boozer, making it a big season for a Jazz franchise that hasn't made the NBA Finals since the days of John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Projected Starters
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Jazz
Shooting guard: Ronnie Brewer
Small forward: Andrei Kirilenko
Power forward: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur
Stat Sheet
The Celtics are beating their opponents by an average of 14.1 points per game.
They are 3-1 at home.
Rajon Rondo leads the NBA with 25 steals.
Kendrick Perkins is second with 19 blocks.
Rasheed Wallace is third in the NBA with 50 three-pointers attempted.
Paul Pierce is averaging 18.8 points per game, his lowest since the 1999-2000 season.
Ray Allen is on pace for his lowest scoring output since his rookie year. He has 14.8 points per game.
Kevin Garnett is averaging a double-double against the Jazz in his career, 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds.
Jazz
The Jazz are 1-2 on the road this season.
They've attempted just 84 three-pointers this season, second-fewest in the NBA.
Deron Williams ranks second in the NBA with 10.7 rebounds per game.
Carlos Boozer ranks third with 11.6 rebounds per game.
Mehmet Okur is 14-for-15 from the free-throw line this season.
Andrei Kirilenko is averaging 2.4 blocks per game against the Celtics in his career.
Paul Millsap is averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds against Boston.
Black and Blue
Brian Scalabrine is experiencing back spasms. He is doubtful for Wednesday's game.
Tony Allen is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.
Glen Davis is out for two months with a broken thumb.
Jazz
Deron Williams missed practice Tuesday in Boston with soreness in his left shin and lower back. He'll be a game-time decision Wednesday.
Matt Harpring is out indefinitely with a right ankle injury.
Kyle Korver underwent knee surgery last month. He is targeting a return date of mid-December.
This Date in Celtics History
Overheard
—Rajon Rondo, in The Boston Globe, on sitting out the entire fourth quarter of the C's 86-76 win over the Nets on Saturday night
Press Box
The Celtics are still mulling over their one loss.
Rajon Rondo is rested.
The point guards have points to make. Assists, too.
Jazz
Deron Williams is a game-time decision.
Paul Millsap has a shot at an All-Star selection.
Can Utah handle a zone defense?
NBA
Dwyane Wade carried the Heat with 41 points.
The Bulls had their game-winning shot ripped away from them.
Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has leukemia.
Outlook
If the Celtics can go 7-1 over the course of a 12-game grind, there's no telling how good they'll be after three days of rest. The C's will be refreshed, energetic and ready to become the first eight-game winners in the NBA this season. That's not good news for a Utah team that's under .500 and looking to get back on track. It could be a rough East Coast road trip for these Jazz.
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