This is a big game. The Jazz currently sit in the 7th spot, ¹⁄₂ game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and 2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, who are in 9th place. The Timberwolves play the lowly Hawks (who beat us twice this season) and the Clippers play the Suns. As an aside, If anyone from Clips Nation is reading this, I sincerely hope that Marquese Chriss doesn’t try to take out your awesome European point guard, and that Jared Dudley doesn’t get all hangry and try to eat half your team. I want to beat you guys, but not like that.

Anyway, this is a night where the Jazz could easily lose ground. It’s not a “must-win,” necessarily, but it would definitely make life a little easier for our guys.

There’s this other thing, too. Last summer, this guy who used to work for the Jazz decided to go work for the Celtics instead. That would be one Gordon Haywood. Look, I don’t know that we should trash the guy. As a gesture of goodwill, here are some of his best highlights with the Utah Jazz:

Selfishly, I was looking forward to rooting against Gordon this year. As you all know, his gruesome injury made this impossible. Still, even without their newest all-star, The Celtics have the 4th-best record in the league, and boast an impressive 27-10 mark on the road. Even though they’ve been bitten by the injury bug, (just check out the injury report below) they’ve performed so well due in large measure to their coach, Brad Stevens. The battle of minds between Stevens and Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder may be the most important matchup of the game.

Look, the Celtics are good. Check this out via NBA_Math on Twitter:

What’s that? Where do the Jazz fit in? Looks like they’re right under the San Antonio Spurs logo. This means that the Jazz are a hair behind the Celtics defensively, and neck-and-neck on offense. This means that the Jazz are good too. Since February 23, they have only lost four times. Since January 17, they have lost six.

Game Info:

When: Wednesday, March 28, 7:30pm MT

Where: Vivint Smarthome Arena, Salt Lake City, UT

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Rocky Mountain

Radio: 1280 AM/97.5 FM The Zone

Injuries (via RotoWorld)

Utah Jazz:

Raul Neto - Wrist (Out)

Thabo Sefolosha - (Out for season)

Boston Celtics:

Gordon Haywood - Wrist (Out for season)

Daniel Theis - knee (Out for season)

Marcus Smart - thumb (Out)

Kyrie Irving - knee (Out)

Marcus Morris - ankle (day-to-day)

Al Horford - ankle (questionable)

GO JAZZ GO!