by Alma Bean
Feature Image by Francisco Kjolseth of The Salt Lake Tribune
The Utah Jazz (16-19) takes on the Boston Celtics (26-7) for the first time this season to start their difficult three-game eastern conference road trip.
What to Look For
Looking at this matchup, your eyes may be attracted to the overall records, but these teams have both been on a hot streak. Since Christmas Day, both teams have a 4-1 record with their only losses being within single digits. Along with the recent hot streak, fans will be watching the All-Star matchup between Lauri Markkanen and Jayson Tatum. Both Markkanen and Tatum are leading their teams in scoring and rebounds per game. The main difference between the two is their team’s dependence on their offensive production. When Tatum either scores at or above his season average in points (27.0), Boston is 12-4 while for Markkanen at 23.5 PPG, Utah is 5-6. What makes that record stand out is when you factor in their team’s records when they do not reach their season average. Boston is still an impressive 12-3 while Utah is 6-8. Might not look like a large difference but the win percentage differential favors Markkanen as Utah has won 2.6 percent more of their games when Markkanen at least reaches his point average where Boston has a -5.0 percent win differential for Tatum.
This game will be an uphill battle the moment Utah steps on the floor as Boston is the only team in the league that is undefeated at home (16-0) while Utah is currently 5-14 on the road with all wins coming against team with sub .500 records. Even with that stat lingering, Utah fans should feel good knowing that even a juggernaut like Boston needed overtime to beat the Detroit Pistons at home.
Key of the Game
Perimeter defense. Boston is first in the league in three-point attempts and makes making 37.4 percent of their perimeter shots. This will be a game where the presence of Kris Dunn and Simone Fontecchio on the perimeter will keep this game within reach. Aside from Tatum, who shoots 8.5 perimeter shots a game, Utah will need to keep an eye on Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Between Holiday and White they shoot a combined 42.3 percent from the perimeter averaging 11.1 attempts per game.
Injury Report
Boston – Al Horford (rest) Questionable
Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Taylor Hendricks (G League) Out, Johnny Juzang (G League) Out, Micah Potter (G League) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out
Where to Watch
Tip-off will be at 5:00 p.m. on KJZZ and Jazz+.
The Hive Sports 
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