UTAH JAZZ
Jazz Forward Simone Fontecchio Hits Back-To-Back Threes Against Celtics
SALT LAKE CITY – Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio connected on consecutive three-pointers during the first half of Utah’s game against the Boston Celtics.
The Jazz hosted the Celtics at Vivint Arena on Saturday, March 18.
Late in the second quarter, the Italian forward hit back-to-back triples to help the Jazz cut into the Celtics’ lead.
With 5:10 to go until halftime, Fontecchio drilled a 24-foot jumper. 30 seconds later, the forward followed up his first three-pointer of the game with a make from 25 feet out.
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Fontecchio’s threes trimmed Boston’s lead to 56-42 with 4:40 left in the half.
This season, the rookie is averaging 5.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.3 steals in 12.1 minutes per contest. Fontecchio has appeared in 41 games for the Jazz.
Utah’s game against Boston is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
Celtics vs. Jazz
The Utah Jazz will return to action on Saturday after a five-day hiatus against the Boston Celtics.
The Jazz last played in Miami on Monday night, concluding a marathon six-game road trip that spanned four states and five different teams.
The Celtics, meanwhile, are in the midst of their own six-game road trip with their penultimate stop coming in Salt Lake City.
Jazz Open Four-Game Homestand
After playing their last six games on the road the Jazz return to Utah to open a critical four-game homestand.
The Jazz will face the Celtics before hosting the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Milwaukee Bucks over the next week.
LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are back home to face the @celtics on the @KSLSportsZone and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.#TakeNote https://t.co/XvxeRbMxsN pic.twitter.com/498GCqW6m0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 19, 2023
With 13 games left in the regular season, the Jazz sit in the 11th seed in the West, a half-game back of both the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, and tied with the 12th-ranked New Orleans Pelicans.
RELATED: Jazz Climb In Standings Despite Quiet Week
Unexpected wins over top playoff teams like the Celtics, Kings, or Bucks this late in the season are likely to have a huge impact on final standings, as the Jazz are still in the running for a spot in the playoffs or a top-ten pick in the lottery.
Collin Sexton remains out for the Jazz, while Jordan Clarkson’s status will be updated before Saturday’s game.
Celtics Fading In East
Despite owning the second-best record in the East the Celtics are playing arguably their worst basketball of the season.
Boston is just 5-5 in its last 10 outings and is 2-1 to start its six-game road trip including an ugly loss to the Houston Rockets.
The Celtics will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday before making the tough turnaround in Utah.
Jayson Tatum is questionable against the Blazers with a hip bruise while center Robert Williams will miss his seventh straight game with a hamstring injury.
