The Celtics advanced to 17-0 at home this season with their 126-97 dismantling of the Utah Jazz Friday night, tying their franchise record for most consecutive home wins to start a season, a record that has stood since the 1957-58 season. The win also marks Boston’s 10th double-digit win at home this season – defeating opponents by an average of 15 points at TD Garden.
Boston never trailed in Friday night’s win – and notably, none of Boston’s starters played more than 27 minutes, a big deal considering the C’s will be in Indiana tomorrow night for the second night of a back-to-back against the Pacers.
While the Jazz may be a sub-.500 team, they entered Friday night having won three straight games, including six of their last seven and nine of their last 13, making this an impressive win for the Celtics.
Boston’s offense poured in 126 points, marking the ninth consecutive game they have scored at least 120 points – tying a franchise record set in the 1959-60 season. Six Celtics finished in double-figures scoring, including the entire starting five.
The Celtics were without Al Horford in the victory, as the team elected to rest him on the first night of the back-to-back.
Here are three takeaways as the Celtics advance to 6-1 when coming off a loss and 27-7 on the season.
Defense sets the tone from the start
After a Jaylen Brown turnover on the first possession of the game, the Jazz had an opportunity in transition. On an outlet pass from John Collins, Kris Dunn thought he had a breakaway opportunity and an easy deuce – until Jayson Tatum swatted him from behind.
On the ensuing Utah possession, Dunn found a cutting Lauri Markkanen, who thought he had found an open lane – only to be met at the rim by Brown.
Those two possessions could suffice as a synopsis of Friday night’s game – with Boston’s defense putting the game out of reach early.
Boston was already up 10 before Utah had scored a point.
The C’s held the visitors to just 15 points on an atrocious 5-of-27 (18.5%) from the field and 1-of-12 (0.8%) from deep in the first quarter – en route to building a 15-point lead. Utah's 15 points were their second-fewest in any quarter this season and marked just the 12th time this season that any team was held to 15 points or less in the first quarter.
Boston finished the opening frame with more assists (7) than the Jazz had made buckets (5) – with every Celtic starter recording a point before a single Jazz starter scored.
The Celtics held the Jazz to just 40 points on 15-of-49 (30.6%) shooting from the field and 4-of-20 (20%) from distance in the first half, while forcing nine turnovers. Utah had more turnovers than made field goals until midway through the second quarter.
The Jazz found some life in the third quarter, pouring in 35 points – their only 30-point quarter of the night – but still finished with just 97 points on just 36.2% shooting from the field and 17.6% from deep. Utah’s 36.2% shooting mark is the worst against the Celtics this season, and their 97 points marked the fifth time the C’s held their opponents under 100 points this season.
Boston also forced 18 turnovers, their second-most in a game this season.
Ironically, Joe Mazzulla was asked pregame what makes Boston elite defensively, to which Mazzulla responded, “I don’t think we’re there yet, but I think we’re working on it.”
Needless to say, Friday night was certainly a step in the right direction.
Oshae Brissett gets his audition
“I would like to continue to see how we can find another big wing or so that can help us, and I think that could be from within,” Brad Stevens said on Thursday.
When asked who on the roster could potentially fill that role pregame, Mazzulla said, “All of them. It just depends on the night, the lineup, the situation. Every guy on the roster has done their job when their name has been called.”
The names that jump out are Brissett and Lamar Stevens – and on Friday night, Brissett was one of the first reserves off the bench, alongside Sam Hauser – and his impact was felt immediately.
Upon entering the game, the Syracuse alumnus stripped Jordan Clarkson and dove for the loose ball – jumpstarting a transition opportunity for the C’s that led to a Hauser alley-oop from Brown.
After the slam, Brissett let out a scream – boasting with energy.
“It’s extremely important,” Tatum said when asked about the high-energy plays Brissett provides. “Everybody on our team has a role. And Oshae knows that his role is to come in and make energy plays. Get stops, take charges, offensive rebounds, dive on the floor. That gives us life. That gives us energy.”
The play was an embodiment of what Brissett brings. His numbers may not always be aesthetically pleasing in the box score (aside from his rebounding) – but the 6-foot-7 wing provides those energy plays that make all the difference, especially considering the talent already within the group.
One of those nights from Jayson Tatum
The 25-year-old finished with a game-high 30 points, along with nine rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in just 24:38 of work.
Tatum has made significant strides as a scorer this season, and Friday night was another example, as he had one of his most balanced games of the year – shooting a season-high 13-of-14 (92.9%) at the free-throw line and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from distance – one of which, a four-point play.
“Just being patient, slowing down, taking what the defense gives him,” Mazzulla said postgame when discussing Tatum’s growth facilitating the offense. “Understanding we’re a better team when everyone is a threat, and he can be a better player when he uses everyone around him. It actually makes his job easier.”
Tatum had more free-throw attempts (14) than field goal attempts (12), which he believes is a product of his growth.
“I mean, I’m a lot better than I used to be,” Tatum acknowledged postgame. “And that’s how it should be, right? Going through this league, you gotta learn.”
Although Tatum is now in his seventh professional season, he’s still only 25 years old, and his game is still developing as he finds new ways to utilize his size to improve his scoring.
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