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Zeller's buzzer-beater lifts Celtics over Jazz

Mar 5, 2015 - 5:33 AM Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tyler Zeller scored at the buzzer to lift the Boston Celtics to an 85-84 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Marcus Smart's inbounds pass over the top found Zeller under the basket, where the 7-footer pump-faked Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood and got a shot off the backboard before Rudy Gobert had a chance to block it.

"I saw Gordon flying in so I shot faked and just got the ball up," Zeller said.

Zeller's game-winner came after Hayward gave the Jazz a lead at the other end with 1.7 seconds remaining.

"That's what Coach Stevens does. He's excellent in those situations," Hayward said of his former coach drawing up plays late.

Isaiah Thomas scored 21 points to lead the Celtics, who committed just three turnovers in the game and snapped a two-game losing streak, which included a 110-79 loss to LeBron James and Cleveland on Tuesday night.

Jae Crowder added 18 points, Avery Bradley scored 13 and Zeller had eight points and 11 rebounds.

It was Boston's seventh consecutive home win over Utah.

Trey Burke and Derrick Favors scored 16 points apiece to lead the Jazz, who had a three-game winning streak stopped. They were trying to win four in a row for the first time since March 25-April 1, 2013.

Hayward added 13 points in the loss and Trevor Booker had 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Gobert collected a game-high 16 rebounds.

Following a low-scoring first half by both teams, Bradley had 11 points in the third quarter, including a 3 in the early minutes to give Boston a seven-point lead.

Utah came back to force a tie, but Boston carried a 61-55 advantage into the fourth. The Celtics led by seven with just over two minutes remaining before Utah went on a 10-2 run.

Hayward's go-ahead bucket came after Burke missed a runner and the Jazz were awarded the ball after a replay review found in went out of bounds on Boston.

A dribble behind his back at the point and a pick allowed Hayward to get past Bradley and he rattled in a jumper over Zeller to make it 84-83.

Earlier, Utah led by as much as seven points as both teams struggled from the field in the first quarter.

Crowder was the only player to score in double digits in the first half, getting 13 to help the Celtics take a 34-33 lead at the break despite shooting 32.6 percent from the field. The Jazz shot 37.1 percent in the half.

Game Notes

Utah outrebounded Boston 51-39 ... The Celtics beat the Jazz 99-90 on Jan. 26 in Salt Lake City ... Utah continues a four-game road trip on Friday against Philadelphia ... Boston starts a three-game road trip on Friday in New Orleans.