As far as NBA drama goes, there isn’t much intrigue in Friday’s game in Salt Lake City between the Jazz and Celtics.
Though the Jazz (16-54) beat the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night to snap a 10-game losing skid, they own the second-worst record in the league and are headed to the draft lottery.
The Celtics (50-19) still have plenty to play for this spring, including defending their 2024 NBA title, though they are all but locked into their postseason positioning. Barring a late-season collapse or an unexpected unraveling by No. 1 Cleveland, Boston will be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Rookie Baylor Scheierman may have another opportunity to showcase his talent in the low-stakes matchup. Scheierman had a career-high 20 points with six 3-pointers on 7-of-8 overall shooting in Boston’s 104-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets at the TD Garden on Tuesday.
Here’s your preview.
When: Friday, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
CELTICS
Season record: 50-19. vs. spread: 31-38. Over/under: 31-37, 1 push
Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 5-5
JAZZ
Season record: 16-54. vs. spread: 37-33. Over/under: 41-28, 1 push
Last 10 games: 1-9. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 5-5
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 116.4, Utah 112.5
Points allowed per game: Boston 108.0, Utah 119.8
Field goal percentage: Boston .461, Utah .459
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .453, Utah .473
3-point percentage: Boston .369, Utah .354
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .349, Utah .356
Stat of the day: The Celtics are one of five teams in the league to rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating.
Notes: Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement) is out for Boston. Xavier Tillman (knee) is also out. … The Celtics have won three straight and eight of their past nine … The Jazz are averaging 40.8 bench points per game this season, the fourth-most in the league. … John Collins (left ankle sprain) and Lauri Markkanen (personal reasons) are out for the Jazz.
Rumsha Siddiqui can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @rumshasidd.
