The Celtics will try get back on track with their 7-1 record against the Utah Jazz tonight in Boston.
They will be well rested after three days off since playing 8 games in 12 days (most in the league).
The Jazz have started slow (3-4) and again are with injuries.
Historically a poor road team, they seem to find motivation in Boston and have won two of the last three game they have played there.
For the Celtics, Bill Walker has returned to the team from a knee injury, and has practiced twice.
Bench marks
The story of the Celtics early season has been their bench. They have held or increased leads in all but one game. According to Hoopstats they are 2nd in the NBA in defensive efficiency. The Utah Jazz’s bench, on the other hand , are rated 25th.
The Jazz have two hurting point guards in Deron Williams (lower back pain and shin) and Ronnie Price (sprained big toe). Both are questionable for tonight in Boston. That would leave rookie Eric Maynor (3rd on the depth chart) as a possible starter. If Williams is at all able he will play, I’m sure.
Paul Millsap will provide strong support for Boozer off the bench at power forward.
The undrafted Utah rookie from Marquette, 6′ 5″ shooting guard, Wes Matthews has been getting playing time and making the most of it. He is playing almost 15 minutes, scoring 6 points per game on a solid 55% shooting.
Boston:
Paul Pierce leads the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game.
Rajon Rondo leads in assists with 9.0 per game.
Kevin Garnett has wrestled the rebound lead from Shelden Williams with 8.3 boards per game.
The Celtics nearly have 6 players scoring in double figures. Besides Pierce, Ray Allen =14.8, Kevin Garnett= 12.9, Rajon Rondo= 10.9, Rasheed Wallace= 10.6, and Kendrick Perkins at 9.5 points per game.
Though they have hit a drought recently, The Celtics are still shooting a healthy 40% from the three point line, led by Pierce’s .516% and Eddie House’s .444%.
Celtics #1 status categories:
The Celtics lead the league in points allowed at 84.4 per game.
They lead with a 14 point average winning margin spread.
They have the biggest differential in assists at 7.7 more than their opponents.
They lead with 3.5 steals per games more than their opponents.
They lead in field goal accuracy vs. their opponents with a margin of 7.7% more. (49.8% – 42.1%)
Number 2 in:
Steals per game at 10
Steals differential at -3.2 less per game than opponent
Utah:
Deron Williams leads the team with 21.7 points per game, and 10.7 assists (2nd in the league).
Carlos Boozer leads the team with 11.6 rebounds, and is second in scoring with 16.7 points per game
They have five players scoring in double digits.
Tonight’s game starts at 7:30pm
