Jazz vs Celtics Prediction - NBA Picks 1/5/24

The Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics duke it out at the TD Garden on Friday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Celtics Prediction.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have been in great shape as they've won nine of their last 12 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after outlasting the Pistons in a 154-148 overtime win on Wednesday. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 31 points on 10 of 18 shooting, Collin Sexton added 25 points with five assists, John Collins scored 17 points while Simone Fontecchio chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Jazz shot 51 percent from the field and 16 of 32 from the 3-point line as they endured a buzzer beater from the Pistons to force overtime, before they opened the extra period with an 11-4 run to secure the gritty win.

Utah Jazz Player Facts

• Lauri Markkanen ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made Per Game (3.2) this season.
• Collin Sexton ranks 14th amongst qualified players for FT% (88.6%) this season.

Boston Celtics

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have been in red-hot form as they've won 11 of their last 13 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their six-game win streak halted by the Thunder in a 127-123 road defeat on Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis led the team with 34 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks on 12 of 18 shooting, Jayson Tatum added 30 points with 13 rebounds and eight assists while Derrick White chipped in with 19 points and six assists. As a team, the Celtics shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Thunder in a close contest, until the third quarter where they allowed 40 points to fall behind by as many as 18 points. To their credit, the Celtics were able to rally to back within two points, only to run out of time in the end.