Boston Celtics: Takeaways from 98-86 Loss to Jazz

After an emotional win over the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics came out flat and got beaten badly by the Utah Jazz, 98-86, Saturday at the TD Garden.

Whether it was due to an emotional letdown, tired legs after a come-from-behind overtime win against Toronto — or not– the Boston Celtics got their butts kicked, 98-86, by the Utah Jazz at the TD Garden Saturday.

The Jazz were also playing their second game in as many nights, and the fourth in a five-game road trip, but played like the fresher, hungrier team all night.

The Celtics 86 points were a season low and they shot like a team with tired legs, missing 28-of-33 three-point attempts–and 17-of-18 in the second half. Boston finished the game at 38.5 percent from the field, its second-lowest this season.

Donovan Mitchell broke out of his recent shooting struggles with 28 points and 5 three-pointers to lead Utah. In Utah’s game Friday night, Donovan Mitchell was 1-for-11 from three-point range and shot 13-for-35 from the field.

The Jazz improved to 8-8 with the victory and snapped a two-game losing streak. Utah will finish its road trip Monday at Indiana.

Boston falls to 9-7, and 5-2 at home after winning its previous four games at the Garden.

Kyrie Irving followed up his season-high 43-point virtuoso performance with 20 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Celtics. Jayson Tatum (10 points) was the only other Celtic to reach double figures.

Former Boston Celtic Jae Crowder scored five quick points off the bench for the Jazz, and finished a team best plus-19, playing the type of small-ball power forward role that he exceed with in Boston.

The Celtics have no time to feel sorry for themselves and little time to recover as the  Charlotte Hornets come to town, with Kemba Walker fresh off a career-high 60 points against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday.

Here are three takeaways from the Celtics disappointing loss.