The Utah Jazz are frisky, having just picked up back-to-back wins over the Pistons and Spurs, and sit just a half-game out of a play-in spot in the West as they visit the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, December 30.
Utah is sixth in scoring in the NBA, but my Celtics vs Jazz predictions and NBA picks have this one playing out similarly to the low-scoring affair in their previous meeting.
Celtics vs Jazz prediction
Celtics vs Jazz best bet: Under 240.5 (-110)
The Boston Celtics had their four-game winning streak snapped last time out, getting dropped in Portland by the Trail Blazers 114-108.
As they’re accustomed to doing, Boston used that stingy defense to keep it close, but couldn’t close out the contest, despite Jaylen Brown’s 37 points.
Boston isn’t a scoring juggernaut – which was expected in this Jayson Tatum-less season – but it's been even more sluggish of late. The Celtics are 20th in scoring over the last seven, averaging 114 points, but those are propped up by two monster scoring games in that stretch.
Take those away, and Boston is putting up just 105.8 points per contest. The good news is that the defense remains a top-tier unit, ranking in the Top 5 in scoring defense over the same stretch, which is why the Celtics are winning more than they are losing.
Will that defense show up in Salt Lake? The Utah Jazz just hung 131 on the Pistons and 127 on the Spurs in back-to-back games, and they’ve scored at least 127 points in seven of their last eight games.
While the Celtics’ defense is a concern, so is the list of guys on the Jazz’s injury report. That’s led by breakout star Keyonte George (illness), who’s listed as questionable. He’s been on fire for Utah, too, averaging 26.9 points and 6.8 assists on 46.6% shooting from the field.
Veterans Georges Niang (foot) and Kevin Love (rest), and rookie Ace Bailey (hip) have already been ruled out.
While Utah has cashed the Over in six of its last eight, the Under is 4-0-1 in the last five against Boston. I’ll trust in Boston’s D to withstand Utah’s offense one more time.
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Celtics vs Jazz same-game parlay
Brown has scored at least 30 points in all nine December games, so it figures he’ll be around that number again against Utah. As the unquestioned No. 1 option this season, Brown went for 36 in their first meeting vs. Utah this year.
Derrick White has drawn an unusually high 3.5 threes line against the Jazz. White has gone Under this total in three straight games, and in eight career games against Utah since joining Boston, has only hit four triples once.
Celtics vs Jazz SGP
- Under 240.5
- Jaylen Brown Over 31.5 points
- Derrick White Under 3.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Lauri Marks the Spot
Lauri Markkanen has averaged 27.8 points per game on 50.3% shooting in December. He’s scored 28+ in three of his last four games, a group that includes Top 10 scoring defenses in the Pistons and Spurs.
Payton Pritchard leads the Celtics with 5.2 assists per game, but he’s fallen Under his 5.5 assist line in five of his last six games, and had just three dimes against Utah in their previous meeting.
Celtics vs Jazz SGP
- Under 240.5
- Jaylen Brown Over 31.5 points
- Derrick White Under 3.5 threes
- Lauri Markkanen Over 27.5 points
- Payton Pritchard Under 5.5 assists
Celtics vs Jazz odds
- Spread: Celtics -8.5 (-110) | Jazz +8.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Celtics -315 | Jazz +255
- Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)
Celtics vs Jazz betting trend to know
Boston has won 10 of its last 11 road games against Western Conference teams with a losing record. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Jazz.
How to watch Celtics vs Jazz
| Location | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date | Thursday, December 30, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC Sports Boston, KJZZ |
Celtics vs Jazz latest injuries
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