By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 04:00 GMT, 22 March 2025 | Updated: 04:01 GMT, 22 March 2025
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Kristaps Porzingis scored 27 points and Jayson Tatum added 26 to lead the Boston Celtics to a 121-99 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
Porzingis added 10 rebounds and six assists, and Tatum chipped in six boards, six assists, and three steals as Boston won its four straight and ninth in its last 10 games.
Collin Sexton led Utah with 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Keyonte George added 19 points and seven assists as the Jazz lost for the seventh time in their last eight games.
Six of Boston´s first seven baskets were 3-pointers, opening the door for the Celtics to seize control early. The Celtics led 35-18 in the final minute of the first quarter. Tatum powered Boston´s first-quarter offense, scoring six baskets and assisting three others.
Sexton heated up after halftime, sparking a Utah rally. He made three 3-pointers early in the third quarter to trim the deficit to single digits. George added a fourth outside basket that cut Boston´s lead to 71-69.
Tatum answered George with a 3-pointer, sparking a 13-0 run that put Boston back in control.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) breaks for the basket. as Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Celtics: Boston made 17 3-pointers. Four players chipped in three or more outside baskets for the Celtics, led by Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser with four apiece.
Jazz: This was Sexton´s second game of the season with 12 made field goals.
After George made it a one-possession game, Tatum countered with a stepback three 19 seconds later to spark a 13-0 run that put the Celtics up 84-69 with 3:27 left in the third.
Boston outscored Utah 26-5 in points off turnovers.
Both teams are back in action on Sunday. Boston is at Portland while Utah hosts Cleveland.
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Boston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday (4) and Derrick White (9) guard against Utah Jazz center Micah Potter, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) blocks a shot by Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) as Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) dribbles up the middle as Utah Jazz center Micah Potter, left, defends, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, right, breaks for the hoop as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier, left, is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) breaks for the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)