The Boston Celtics (19-12) travel to face the Utah Jazz (12-19) in a matchup that could highlight Boston’s depth against Utah’s rebuilding efforts. The defending champions have been inconsistent without their full lineup, ranking 10th in offensive rating (116.8 points per game) but boasting a top-5 defense (110.2 points allowed). Utah, meanwhile, sits near the bottom of the Western Conference, struggling with injuries but showing flashes of youth-driven energy, averaging 112.4 PPG overall. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, expect Jaylen Brown to shoulder the load for Boston, while Lauri Markkanen aims to exploit mismatches for the Jazz. This game might turn into a blowout if Boston’s bench dominates, but Utah’s home crowd could keep it competitive early.
Venue Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. This 18,300-capacity arena, formerly known as Vivint Arena, has been the Jazz’s home since 1991 and is renowned for its elevation (4,300 feet above sea level), which can fatigue visiting teams. Utah has a 7-9 home record this season, scoring 114.1 PPG at home versus 110.7 on the road.
Tipoff is set for 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local MT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN and available for streaming on ESPN+ and NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Boston enters with key absences, including their star forward, while Utah’s frontcourt is decimated, potentially forcing smaller lineups.
Boston Celtics:
Jayson Tatum (SF): Out – Right Achilles repair. He’s missed multiple games recently and is sidelined indefinitely, impacting Boston’s scoring (averaging 28.4 PPG this season when active).
Chris Boucher (PF): Out – Personal reasons. A depth piece whose absence thins the frontcourt rotation.
Ron Harper Jr. (SG): Out – G League assignment.
Amari Williams (F): Out – G League two-way.
Additional notes: Al Horford (toe) and L.J. Cryer (back) are expected to be out until at least December 31, further straining the bigs.
Utah Jazz:
Walker Kessler (C): Out – Left shoulder surgery. Out for the season, a massive blow to Utah’s rim protection (9.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG in limited action).
Georges Niang (PF): Questionable – Foot injury. Re-evaluated recently; if out, Utah loses shooting depth.
Ace Bailey (SF): Questionable – Hip injury.
Kevin Love (PF): Questionable – Rest.
Additional notes: Taylor Hendricks (PF) and Brice Sensabaugh (SF) are day-to-day with minor ailments, but the Jazz have submitted no further updates as of late afternoon.
Utah’s injuries could lead to increased minutes for rookies like Kyle Filipowski, while Boston might rely on Payton Pritchard for scoring punch.
Boston’s superior efficiency gives them an edge, but road games at altitude have historically been tricky.
Recent Team Forms
Boston has cooled off after a strong start, while Utah shows signs of improvement but remains inconsistent.
Boston Celtics (5-5 in last 10 games): The Celtics are coming off a 114-108 road loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on December 28, marking their second straight defeat. They’ve averaged 115.2 PPG while allowing 113.8 in the last 10, with a +1.4 point differential. Key wins include a 125-105 blowout over Cleveland on October 29 and a narrow 109-108 victory at Philadelphia on October 31, but losses to Houston (128-101) and Utah earlier (105-103) highlight vulnerabilities. Form: L-L-W-L-W (last five).
Utah Jazz (4-6 in last 10 games): Utah snapped a skid with a 127-114 home win over the San Antonio Spurs on December 27, averaging 124.3 PPG in the stretch but allowing 126.1. They’ve gone 2-3 at home recently, with standout performances in a 135-112 win over Detroit on December 26 but blowout losses like 135-112 to Denver on December 22. Form: W-W-L-L-L (last five, but check: from 4-6, with recent wins).
Boston’s defense could stifle Utah’s high-scoring bursts, but the Jazz’s recent offensive output (124+ PPG) suggests potential for an upset if Boston fatigues.
Series History
Boston leads the all-time series 64-47 in 111 regular-season games since Utah’s inception as the New Orleans Jazz in 1974. The Celtics have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, including a 121-99 home victory on March 21, 2025. However, Utah pulled off a 105-103 upset in Boston on November 3, 2025, led by Markkanen’s 28 points. At Delta Center, Boston is 28-28 all-time, but they’ve won 4 of the last 6 visits. Average score in the last 10: Celtics 110.2, Jazz 106.8.
Player Matchups
Tatum’s absence shifts focus to Boston’s guards and wings against Utah’s young core.
Jaylen Brown (BOS) vs. Lauri Markkanen (UTA): Scoring duel. Brown (29.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG) will lead Boston’s attack, using athleticism to drive, while Markkanen (PPG leader for Utah, around 22-25 based on season) stretches the floor with 38% from three.
Derrick White (BOS) vs. Keyonte George (UTA): Perimeter battle. White (18.1 PPG, 5.2 APG, 1.4 BPG) brings two-way play, potentially limiting George (Utah’s top assist man at ~6 APG).
Jrue Holiday (BOS) vs. Collin Sexton (UTA): Veteran vs. speed. Holiday (defensive anchor, 12.4 PPG) could neutralize Sexton’s slashing (18+ PPG).
Other notes: Payton Pritchard (BOS, 16.5 PPG off bench) vs. Jordan Clarkson (UTA, scoring punch); Al Horford (if available) steps up against Filipowski with Kessler out.
Boston’s experience favors them, but Utah’s youth could create chaos.
Betting Trends
Spread: Boston is 16-15 ATS overall and 7-8 on the road; Utah is 18-13 ATS but 6-10 as home underdogs.
Total (O/U): The over has hit in 17 of Boston’s 31 games (54.8%) and 19 of Utah’s 31 (61.3%). In their last five head-to-heads, the over is 3-2, averaging 216 points.
Trends: Boston is 6-4 ATS in last 10 road games but 2-4 ATS without Tatum. Utah is 6-4 ATS in last 10 overall and 4-6 ATS when missing multiple bigs. Lines may adjust if Jazz questionables are ruled out.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 8.5
Utah Jazz 244.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 29, 2025
