Jazz vs Celtics Preview

Game Day: Monday, November 3, 2025

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Betting Odds: Celtics -10.5, Over/Under 232.5 (via DraftKings)

Injury Report

• Celtics: Jayson Tatum — Out

• Jazz: Georges Niang — Out (left foot stress reaction)Walker Kessler — Questionable

The highly anticipated Georges Niang revenge game will have to wait, as the Jazz forward remains sidelined with a stress reaction in his left foot.

Game Overview

The Boston Celtics (3–4) return home looking to bounce back from a tough 128–101 loss to Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.Their opponent, the Utah Jazz (2–4), enter TD Garden having lost 23 straight road games dating back to last season, including a 126–103 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets just last night.

Utah’s offense has been carried early by Lauri Markkanen (33.0 PPG) and Keyonte George (21.8 PPG), but inconsistency and turnovers have plagued the team. The Jazz currently rank last in the NBA in turnovers per game (17.5).

Keys to the Game

1. Forcing Turnovers

This matchup plays right into Boston’s defensive strengths. The Celtics lead the league in steals per game and rank third in opponent turnover percentage (17.1%). Expect Boston’s perimeter pressure to generate easy transition opportunities against a Jazz squad prone to mistakes.

2. Three-Point Efficiency

Utah’s defense emphasizes rim protection, but that has come at a cost—they’ve allowed opponents to take a league-high 47% of their shots from beyond the arc. The Celtics, who lead the NBA in three-point attempts but are shooting just 32% from deep, will have plenty of chances to get hot.

Struggling guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White (combined 21.5% from three this season) could use this game to find their rhythm. The Jazz defense offers the perfect opportunity for them to bounce back.

3. Rebounding Battle

Rebounding remains Boston’s Achilles heel—they rank 29th in defensive rebounding percentage. Even if Walker Kessler misses another game, Utah’s frontcourt size can still cause problems on the offensive glass. Expect Will Hardy’s group to emphasize second-chance scoring, something Boston must clean up to control the game.

Prediction

This matchup seems perfect for Boston to get back on track. The Jazz’s turnover problems and defensive weaknesses should give the Celtics opportunities to find open shots and increase the pace. Look for Pritchard and White to bounce back from their early-season shooting struggles.

Final Score Prediction: Celtics 115, Jazz 106

Best Bet: Under 232.5

The Under is the play tonight. The Jazz have struggled to score on the road—especially on the second night of back-to-backs—while the Celtics tend to slow the tempo once they build a lead. Expect solid defense, controlled pace, and a total that stays below the number.