Three Studs, Two Duds As Celtics Down Jazz To Start Road Trip

The Boston Celtics visited the Utah Jazz at Delta Center for a Friday night contest to start a six-game road trip.

Boston improved to 51-19 with a 121-99 win while Utah fell to 16-55.

The Celtics had more than enough help offensively even as Jaylen Brown’s absence with a knee injury continued to start the road trip. Boston ripped off 35 points in the first quarter and cruised in response to a 5-0 run from the Jazz to start the night.

The Celtics swept the season series following their 114-108 win over Utah at TD Garden 11 days ago on March 10.

Here are three studs and two duds from Boston’s win:

STUDS
Jayson Tatum
The Celtics star returned to the lineup in stride after missing Boston’s previous contest.

He went to work with 14 points in the first quarter to spark the offense. He also turned in one of the season’s best “right place, right time” plays off a behind-the-back move in transition.

Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis quickly heated up in the first half for the Celtics with 21 points and eight rebounds at halftime. He had the hot hand from beyond the arc, posting Boston’s first points on a first-quarter triple.

Porzingis finished with 27 points for the Celtics.

Collin Sexton
Utah’s guard put together an efficient offensive performance with 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the field.

DUDS
Jazz’s foul trouble
The Celtics took advantage of 17 turnovers with a 26-5 differential in points off turnovers.

Boston’s non-Tatum minutes
The only true lull of the night came with Tatum’s rest minutes to start the second quarter. Boston slightly regressed and lost the second quarter 30-25.