https://kjzz.com/sports/jazz-vs-celtics-highlights-include-a-ferocious-jam
The Celtics got back in the win column over the Jazz thanks to a huge night from Derrick White. Six players scored at least 10 points, making it a total team win.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White would both struggle to score in the first half, totaling just 15 points on 5/19 shooting. Despite this, they found a way to contribute, with Brown dishing out 5 assists and White blocking 4 shots. Luka Garza and Neemias Queta would keep the ship afloat, combining for 21 points on 9/10 shooting.
Defensively, the Celtics struggled, allowing 64 points on 46% shooting from the field and 42% from three. Keyonte George in particular was giving them problems, scoring 23 points. He was quick and dynamic, which made it difficult for Celtics defenders to stay in front of him. At halftime, the Jazz led 64-59.
In the second half, the Celtics came alive, scoring 70 points on 62% shooting. Despite making just 6 three-pointers, the Celtics were still able to put up points with ease, scoring 30 points in the paint in the second half.
The defense was a mixed bag, allowing 55 points but forcing 8 turnovers. Keyonte George and Jusuf Nurkic combined for 33 points on 12/16 shooting, but the rest of the team was shut down, scoring just 22 points on 5/19 shooting.
After going back-and-forth all game, the Celtics finally managed to pull away towards the end of the game, taking an 11-point lead and never letting go to give the Celtics a bounce-back 29-119 win.
The good
Despite shooting just 29% from three, the Celtics still scored 129 points on 51% shooting. They drove inside looking to get to the rim, the free throw line or take an easy mid-range shot, which resulted in 56 paint points.
The bench played a significant part in this performance, scoring 43 points, 35 of which came from Luka Garza and Anfernee Simons. The pair complements each other well, with one scoring and rebounding in the paint, while the other does his work on the perimeter and beyond the arc, allowing the Celtics to be a dynamic offense at all times.
While Jaylen Brown's streak of 30-point games came to an end, he still contributed in a big way, scoring an efficient 23 points along with 10 assists.
Derrick White played one of his best games of the year, scoring 27 points, dishing out 6 assists, and blocking 7 shots.
The bad
Defensively, it was another concerning effort, allowing 119 points on 47/38 shooting. Once again the Celtics found themselves caught late in rotation or getting blown by on countless possessions.
For the fourth straight game, the Celtics have allowed an inferior team to either hang around or flat out beat them due to poor defense. The biggest concern was the center position, allowing 46 paint points. Jusuf Nurkic gave the Celtics problems in the paint all night, shooting 10/11 for 26 points. A once excellent defense has slowly eroded over the last two weeks.
Conclusion
This was a big win for the Celtics to avenge their previous loss to the Jazz as well as getting back in the win column. The role players kept the Celtics in the game in the first half, and the trio of White, Brown, and Pritchard took their game to another level in the second half to get the win. They will travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings in the third game of a four-game road trip.