Sarah Todd covers the NBA and Utah Jazz for the Deseret News.
The Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics, 118-117, at Vivint Arena on Saturday night.
After a six-game road trip, followed by four days off, the Jazz returned home and picked up a win, improving to 34-36 on the season.
Here are three keys that contributed to the Jazz’s victory:
Down by one point, the Celtics had the ball with five seconds left in the game. Walker Kessler stalked Grant Williams all the way to the basket and blocked his game-winning attempt.
Led by Lauri Markkanen’s 28 points, the Jazz finished the night with all five starters in double-figures and some big contributions from the bench for a well-balanced box score in the win.
Though the Jazz have sometimes struggled with turnovers, especially lately, they only committed seven total turnovers against the Celtics and battled for offensive rebounds to create second-chance opportunities.
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Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) celebrates the Jazz victory in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) celebrates a 3-pointer against the Boston Celtics in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (0) celebrate the victory over the Boston Celtics in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) blocks the final shot by Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay (22) drives on Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) hits a 3-pointer in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) is fouled by Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) defends Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) throws the ball into the stands after the win over Boston Celtics in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Jazz dancers perform in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (0) drives on Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) get tangled up in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) looks to pass in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (0) drives in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) drives on Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) is defended by Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Utah won 118-117. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) drives on Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) defends Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) defends Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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