Jayson Tatum did not sit in the second half of Saturday’s Lakers-Celtics showdown. He played 45 minutes, 26 seconds, a career-high for a regular-season game that did not go into overtime.
So don’t be surprised if you don’t see the Boston star on the court on Monday as the reeling Jazz come to town.
Tatum (knee tendinopathy) and Al Horford (left big toe sprain) are listed as questionable for Monday’s game. With a matchup against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Boston may choose to rest one or more of its key players.
“Probably not going to play every game rest of the season, but kind of building up your stamina going into the playoffs, knowing that certain nights you might play 45, 44 minutes,” Tatum said. “So just kind of getting your body ready for that.”
Utah has lost five games in a row and is at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Walker Kessler (rest) didn’t play against the 76ers, after he collected 18 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocked shots in Friday’s 118-109 loss to Toronto. Utah’s Jaden Springer (back), Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), John Collins (back/injury management), Lauri Markkanen (back/injury management) and Collin Sexton (ankle) also were unavailable to play Sunday.
“Tonight was a tricky night being really short-handed,” Utah coach Will Hardy, a former Celtics assistant, said. “There are still signs of the young players improving. It’s hard in different moments when their roles grow rapidly and they’re taking on more responsibility than they’re used to.
“I’ll give the team credit, they didn’t quit. I’m always proud of the team’s willingness to continue to dig in, even in tough moments.”
When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -17.5. O/U: 229.0.
JAZZ
Season record: 15-49. vs. spread: 34-30. Over/under: 39-24, 1 push
Last 10 games: 2-8. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 7-3
CELTICS
Season record: 46-18. vs. spread: 30-34. Over/under: 29-34, 1 push
Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 4-6
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Utah 112.6, Boston 117.0
Points allowed per game: Utah 119.8, Boston 108.2
Field goal percentage: Utah .458, Boston .462
Opponent field goal percentage: Utah .475, Boston .453
3-point percentage: Utah .355, Boston .371
Opponent 3-point percentage: Utah .358, Boston .348
Stat of the day: Sunday night’s 126-122 setback against the 76ers was Utah’s 12th consecutive road loss.
Notes: It appears unlikely that Kristaps Porzingis will be available to play in the sixth game of this seven-game homestand. Porzingis has appeared in 32 games this season, averaging 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. Al Horford replaced him in Boston’s starting lineup Saturday and had 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 37 minutes. … Boston’s victory over Los Angeles extended the team’s winning streak to four games and improved the Celtics’ home record to 22-11. Boston is 4-1 on its current homestand. … Utah’s Kyle Filipowski matched his career high by scoring 25 points in the loss to Philadelphia. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. “I’m proud of the work he’s put in,” Hardy said. “I think Flip’s development of his shot is definitely one of the highlights of this year for us.” … Monday’s matchup will be the first of two regular-season meetings between Utah and Boston. The teams also will meet in Utah on March 21.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
