NBA Regular Season: Boston Celtics (29-27) at Utah Jazz (31-25) -- Game Preview

NBA Regular Season 2012-2013, Game 57:

Boston Celtics (29-27) at Utah Jazz (31-25)

#BOSatUTA Game Stream -- CelticsBlog -- Celtics vs Jazz coverage

Big Al revenge game Attempt #11

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The Basics:

Al Jefferson was drafted by the Boston Celtics #15th, years ago. He was the central piece the Celtics gave up, a young promising inside scorer, in order to bring in Kevin Garnett. The Garnett powered Boston clubs have been contenders every year, winning a title along the way. Jefferson has failed to defeat the Celtics since being traded, losing in each of the previous 10 games, while posting averages of 19.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, and 1.6 bpg in 34.9 mpg. He's played well, though he has shot only 46.7 fg%. If Jefferson is going to ever get that Kevin Garnett looking leprechaun off his back it may be this year, and this game -- because the Celtics he was traded away from (with Paul Pierce, and crew) may all disperse this off-season, or even worse, Garnett may retire. That would leave Jefferson with zero chance to have his revenge.

So it's gotta be tonight. And tonight may be the best shot he gets as the Celtics play on the second night of a back to back, having played last night against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland. The Celtics lost that game, but have lost ever other game on their five game Western Conference road trip save for in Phoenix on Friday: @ Nuggets, @ Lakers, @ Suns, @ Trail Blazers . . . and now tonight @ Jazz. The Celtics are without All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, and also without Jared Sullinger -- both will miss the rest of the season. Leandro Barbosa, the speed Brazilian, may also be out for tonight.

A tired team on the end of a 5 game road trip, injured, and older, with a window that gets smaller every day -- it's really now or never for Al Jefferson and his Utah Jazz.