The Utah Jazz’s four-game win streak came to an end as they were upended 115-104 by the Celtics at Boston. The Jazz’s terrific defense – No. 3 in the league in defensive efficiency – couldn’t contain the red-hot Isaiah Thomas, who had 29 points and 15 assists. The Celtics as a team shot 55 percent from the floor and hit 17-of-31 3-pointers.
On the bright side for the Jazz, Gordon Hayward continued his current run of very solid play. The Utah swingman scored 23 points on 50 percent shooting. He’s averaging 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and shooting 51 percent from the field over his last seven games. That stretch includes another 23-point game against the Toronto Raptors a couple weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Derrick Favors had his best game since his return to the lineup back in mid-December. The Jazz power forward had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in 29 minutes, the most minutes he’s played in the 10 games he’s played since coming back from a knee injury.
The Jazz are 10-7 on the road this season, and are 9-8 against the spread. However, they haven’t won or covered in Toronto since 2012.
The Toronto Raptors are coming off one of their heaviest defeat of the season as they were spanked 110-82 by the San Antonio Spurs. The patented Raptors offense which was leading the NBA in efficiency prior to that game ground to a halt. They shot just 37 percent from the field and 4-of-18 from beyond the arc.
The Raptors concluded their recent six-game Western Conference road trip with a 3-3 record, with losses to the Spurs, Suns, and Warriors. They have been without Patrick Patterson for the past two games after he left the Suns loss early with a sprained ankle. Patterson, who is a key part of their bench unit with his 3-point shooting, is still doubtful to return against the Jazz.
Kyle Lowry had the worst game of an otherwise excellent season to date against the Spurs as he went just 2-of-9 for 6 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. It’s the first time Lowry has failed to score in double-figures all season. That came on the heels of his best game of the year, a 41-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist performance against the Lakers.
Look for Lowry to get back on track at home against the Jazz, though. Lowry already torched the Jazz for a then-season-high 36 points on 15-of-20 shooting at Salt Lake City just before Christmas.
The Raptors are 11-5 at home this season (9-6-1 ATS), and are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three home meetings against the Jazz.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors (-5.5) rediscover their shooting touch as they beat the Jazz, 108-100.
