• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Celtics target another win vs. Jazz

Mar 28, 2012 - 2:53 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics hope to keep the pressure on Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division when they square off with the Utah Jazz tonight at TD Garden.

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 36 points with 10 rebounds on Monday as the Celtics moved into a tie for first place in the Atlantic with a 102-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night.

Their fourth win in five games pulled the Celtics even with the Philadelphia 76ers at 27-22 for a moment but the Sixers were able to top the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and are one-half game ahead of the C's again.

Kevin Garnett added 24 points, Brandon Bass scored 15 and Rajon Rondo had 13 assists and seven points for the Celtics against Charlotte.

"We haven't beaten Philadelphia yet, so if it comes down to a tie they have the advantage on us," said Pierce. "It's good for now [because] we still have a lot more ball to play."

Winning the Atlantic is key. Boston is currently the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt and vaulting past the Sixers would move them into the fourth spot.

The Jazz, meanwhile, showed no fatigue after a four-overtime loss in Atlanta on Sunday when they finished a four games in five days stretch with a resounding 105-84 win over the New Jersey Nets on Monday.

"That should show you how well we're playing right now," said Jazz center Al Jefferson, who scored 19 points.

Paul Millsap had a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds for Utah, which has won seven of its last eight games to move into the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Playing against his former club for the first time in New Jersey, Deron Williams netted 17 points, but on just 7-of-21 shooting. He also dished out 11 assists.

"They're a good team, a playoff team. They did a good job of getting re- focused and blowing it open," said Williams.

The Jazz, who will be concluding a three-game road trip tonight, are just 8-17 as the visitor on the year. The Celtics, on the other hand, are a solid 17-8 in Beantown and have won a season-high six straight on their home floor.

Boston has won three of its last four against the Jazz.

On the injury front for the Celtics, veteran sharpshooter Ray Allen could return tonight after missing the previous three games with a sore right ankle.