Jazz at Celtics
THE STORY: Left for dead just a few weeks ago, the Utah Jazz are suddenly the hottest team in the NBA and are streaking up the Western Conference standings. The key to the recent success has been a newfound ability to win on the road, something that plagued the team earlier. The Boston Celtics are attempting to make their way up the Eastern Conference ladder, sitting in seventh place but just a half-game behind the No. 4 spot.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSSW+ (Utah), CSNE (Boston)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (27-23): Utah was two games under .500 after a loss at Phoenix on Mar. 14 but has since won eight of nine to climb into seventh place in the West. The Jazz are only one-half game ahead of the ninth-place Houston Rockets but are also only 1 1/2 games behind the fourth-place Clippers. Part of the struggle for Utah came on the road, where the team is 8-17. Three of those eight wins have come in their last four chances, including a 105-84 win at New Jersey on Monday.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (27-22): Boston has squandered a pair of head-to-head chances to leap past the Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division. The difference between first and second in the division is the No. 4 and 7 spots in the East, meaning home court advantage and the chance to avoid the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in the first round. The Celtics have won four of their last five to stay within one-half game of the 76ers. Rajon Rondo has recorded double-digit assists in 10 straight games and is spreading the ball around to several different scorers. Paul Pierce took his turn to lead the team on Monday, collecting 36 points and 10 rebounds in a 102-95 win at Charlotte.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Utah’s only loss in its last four road games came in quadruple overtime on Sunday in Atlanta.
2. Boston has taken two straight and three of four in the series.
3. Celtics G Ray Allen (ankle) has missed three straight games but could return Wednesday.