Free NBA Pick: Utah Jazz vs Boston Celtics

Written by Alleks

Saturday, 29 December 2007

VS

Utah Jazz vs Boston Celtics

When, where: Tonight, 9, at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.
Records: Boston is 24-3 (first in the Atlantic Division); Utah is 16-15 (third in the Northwest Division).
Scoring: Carlos Boozer 24.6, Deron Williams 19.8, Ronnie Brewer 13.0.
Rebounding: Boozer 11.6, Andrei Kirilenko 6.1, Paul Millsap 5.7.
Assists: Williams 8.8, Kirilenko 5.0, Boozer 3.2.
Head to head: This is the first of two meetings this season. The Jazz won both in 2006-07.
Miscellany: The Jazz are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home . . . On Thursday, the Jazz re-assigned center Kyrylo Fesenko to the Utah Flash of the Development League.

The Jazz gave up 75 points in the first half, trailed by 27 points at halftime and were left drubbed, demoralized and destroyed in a 123-109 loss that was the Jazz's worst of the season in every respect except the final margin.

All Jazz coach Jerry Sloan could do afterward was describe his team as "shell-shocked." As soon as they appeared to take a step forward with Wednesday's victory over Dallas, the Jazz were rocked back to reality in losing for the 10th time in 13 games.

On other side we have money-making machine Boston Celtics with 24-3 wins record and 18-8-1 ATS record. Utah Jazz don't impress me at all this time of the season and looks like their last season story repeats again after strong start they experience form drop down. Sure today they will be motivated but I really can't see how broken car can stop Formula-1.

I expect Boston to win this game and most probably again by playing smart positional basketball with strong defense which usually don't allow more than 87-88 points. Utah Jazz also know how to defend in low tempo games and they already proved this few times.

I expect to see 176-184 points points match with Utah scoring in 84-88 pts range, while Boston should stop scoring somewhere under 95 points mark. I will try under here but Celtics to win also could be an option.

Expected score: Utah Jazz 86 - 93 Boston Celtics