SALT LAKE CITY — The playoff-bound Boston Celtics handed the Utah Jazz a tough 97-94 loss at Vivint Arena on Thursday night when Jaylen Brown hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds to play.
Turning point: With the game tied at 94-all in the final minute, a poor possession by Utah — which included Jae Crowder’s 3-point attempt being blocked and Joe Ingles missing a floater — gave Boston the chance to win in regulation. On the ensuing possession, the Celtics found an open Brown for the 3-pointer.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/979205845941702656Donovan Mitchell's heave didn't connect after a timeout, as Boston ended the game on a 9-0 run.
The hero: Brown had a team-high 21 points and hit three 3-pointers for the Celtics. He also had a key steal with just over a minute remaining that led to a dunk in transition, and Brown added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
3 keys
- Both teams had dominant quarters. The Celtics outscored the Jazz 30-15 in the second and hit four 3-pointers while shooting 62.1 percent from the field. Utah then outscored Boston 32-19 in the third and hit five 3-pointers while shooting 45 percent from the field.
- Boston made 12 of 21 3-point shots on the night, while Utah was 9 of 33 from long range.
- The Celtics had a 15-12 edge in second-chance points.
Jazz almanac: 42-33, Lost 1 Playoff picture: The loss knocks the Jazz back to eighth place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Up next:
Friday vs. Memphis (21-54), 7 p.m. MDT (AT&T SportsNet)
Sunday at Minnesota (43-33), 5 p.m. (AT&T SportsNet)
Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers (33-41), 7 p.m. (AT&T SportsNet)