Jazz 111, Celtics 93
SALT LAKE CITY -- Forward Derrick Favors scored 23 points and collected 10 rebounds and forward Gordon Hayward added 22 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 111-93 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
Center Rudy Gobert scored 11 points and pulled down 15 rebounds while Guard Raul Neto added 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting for the Jazz. Utah (27-27) snapped a two-game losing streak by shooting 55 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. The Jazz also had a 51-34 edge on the glass.
Guard Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points and forward Jae Crowder added 17 points to lead the Celtics. Boston (32-24) swept the season series with the Jazz a year ago, but could not prevail this time around after shooting just 37 percent from the field and 28 percent from 3-point range.
Utah scorched the nets before halftime. The Jazz shot 60 percent (18-of-30) from the field and 69 percent (9-of-13) from the perimeter.
Boston worked hard to disrupt the Jazz offense in the first quarter by forcing a barrage of turnovers. The Celtics had four steals in the quarter and forced eight total turnovers. When Utah held onto the ball, it proved effective in knocking down shots. It helped Utah stake out an 18-12 lead after guard Chris Johnson drained a 3-pointer and Hayward followed with a layup on consecutive possessions.
Boston briefly charged in front 21-20 after guard Isaiah Thomas capped a 9-2 spurt with a jumper. Utah went back ahead on back-to-back 3-pointers from guards Rodney Hood and Trey Burke. Two more 3-pointers from Johnson and Burke boosted the Jazz lead to 32-24 early in the second quarter.
Utah built up a nine point lead when Hood hit a pair of free throws to make it 51-42 with 2:44 left before halftime. Boston chipped away at the lead, cutting it to 54-49 on a 3-point play from Thomas with 46 seconds remaining in the half.
The Jazz finally broke the game open behind a 15-2 run in the third quarter. Hayward and forward Trevor Booker had back-to-back dunks and forward Derrick Favors followed with a layup to punctuate the run and give Utah a 79-62 lead with 3:27 left in the quarter.
Boston rallied again and cut the Jazz lead to 83-76 after Jared Sullinger made a jumper to cap a 14-4 Celtics run. Utah pulled away for good behind some big baskets from Gobert. He ignited a 15-5 run with a tip-in basket and capped it with a dunk off the dribble, giving the Jazz a 98-81 lead with 5:33 left.
NOTES: Celtics C Kelly Olynyk missed the game with a bruised right shoulder. Olynyk injured the shoulder in a 139-134 overtime win over the Clippers on Feb. 10 and is expected to be sidelined 3-to-4 weeks. ... Coming into Friday's game, Jazz C Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double in four straight games and in seven of his last 10 contests. ... Boston entered Friday tied for first among NBA teams in opponent turnovers (16.8 per game). The Celtics were also tied for second in steals per game (9.5). ... Jazz G Shelvin Mack was inactive against Boston. The trade in which Utah acquired him Thursday is still pending until all players involved pass a physical.