Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics: Keys to beat Hayward’s new team

The Utah Jazz face a difficult game against the Boston Celtics to try to stop a four-game losing streak.

2008. That’s the last time the Utah Jazz won playing in Boston. As we all know, in the excruciating month of December, it will be easier for Jazz fans to find clean air in Salt Lake City than it will be for the Jazz to get a win.

That being said, the guys will be motivated to come out and play against Gordon Hayward’s new team and there will certainly be some keys to bring home the victory.

The Celtics only have six losses. Two came in the first two games of the season, when the team was shell-shocked from Hayward’s gruesome injury against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks, both strong teams in the East.

Another came without Kyrie Irving to the lowly Chicago Bulls who have now won four in a row.

All three of the remaining losses come in at 10 points or less (10, six and three) and two came against the then-hot Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs.

In other words; the Celtics are no joke. This game will be tough.

Key No. 1: Consistency

Throughout the four-game losing streak, the biggest factor we can pinpoint is inconsistency. Basketball is a game of four quarters and 48 minutes. Playing at less than full-throttle for less than that (for a team like Utah that relies on effort, clever schemes and contributions from everyone to win) won’t suffice.

Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Jazz led for much of the way and didn’t give up the lead until late.

Andy Larsen of KSL.com summed up the loss to the Bulls in a similar manner (and huge props to Andy who does a tremendous job at this as a professional. Read all his stuff. I do and it’s great).

Key No. 2: Limit turnovers

The Jazz started the season near the bottom of the league in turnovers per game. They cleaned up their act as they started to gel. The Jazz are now at a respectable 17th in turnovers (still not great, but at least it’s not 30th).

In the losing streak, the Jazz have returned to their careless ways with 16 turnovers in three of the four games. Consistency comes up again here because against the Bulls, the bulk of the turnovers were in the first half. The Celtics are the league’s top defense and it will be a huge test for the Jazz offense to get going.

Fortunately, the Celtics are one of the worst teams when it comes to scoring points off turnovers. 

Key No. 3: Prove Hayward wrong

If you missed it, Gordon Hayward said he was looking forward to watching his new team play against his old team (from the confines of his residence). He also said he hopes his new team wins in blowout fashion by 40 points.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Rudy Gobert has this game marked in his calendar as one of the most important games of the season. I believe he took Hayward’s decision personally and will want to come out and prove something.

Let’s hope that translates to fire on the court and Rudy’s able to rally his teammates around him. If the Jazz play focused, the outside shooting is on, and play within the offense, they are a tough team to beat.

Donovan Mitchell, likewise, plays with a chip on his shoulder and shares that same competitive fire burning in Rudy. He seems to do well in the big moments and this should be a motivating game. He didn’t play with Hayward, but Gordon chose to leave after Mitchell had stated he was excited about playing with him. He’s been one of the league’s best players (and rookies, obviously) since the start of November.

While I don’t expect a win, I’m hopeful the Jazz can shoot lights out and give the Celtics a good game. (Maybe it’s wishful thinking since I’ll be in the arena…)

Prediction: Celtics win, 91-80