Jazz Vs. Celtics Game Thread -- Two #7 seeds going in opposite directions, youth vs experience

Game 51: Utah Jazz (27-23, Road: 8-17) @ Boston Celtics (27-22, Home: 17-8)

Two #7 seeds going in opposite directions, youth vs experience

Boston is a tough place to steal a win on the road. The Celtics are the Top Franchise in the history of the NBA, no team has won as much as they have. When they assemble a core to contend, and only win one ring it's a disappointment. We've never assembled a core that's ever won a ring. These are two franchise that play very different games. The Celtics swing for the fences. We try not to get suckered into a double play. (Baseball? On my Jazz blog? More likely than you think . . . ) These Boston Celtics are on their way down the mountain, while our Jazz are on the way up. They're holding onto a playoff spot, while we're fighting to earn one.

One common thread between these two teams seems to be Al Jefferson. He was the non-lotto pick "main man" for the C's until they unceremoniously dumped him for Kevin Garnett. Since then and now Al has finally learned how to pass, not shoot into triple coverage, and rotate on defense. He's getting better, but he's still not a complete player. However, no one can ever suggest that he doesn't have a full tool box of moves on the low block. He's going to display that tonight, to his old club, in front of the guys who used to buy **HIS** jerseys -- and hopefully walk away with that W that's eluded him so far in his career. That W against the Celtics.

Liner Notes:

• Rajon Rondo (BOS) is a good player
• Ray Allen (BOS) is a game time decision
• Jermaine O'Neal (BOS) is out for the season, getting wrist surgery
  
• Mickael Pietrus (BOS) is out indefinitely with a concussion
• Josh Howard (UTA) is out for the rest of the season, getting knee surgery
• Raja Bell (UTA) is out, looking for a 8th opinion
• Jazz vs Celtics coverage
• Jazz vs Celtics preview
• CelticsBlog