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Celtics open second half against surging Jazz

Feb 19, 2009 - 3:50 PM Boston (44-11) at Utah (31-23) 10:30 p.m. EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics look to begin the second half of the season with their third straight victory when they visit the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

The Celtics return from the All-Star break with an 1 1/2 game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-11) atop the Eastern Conference, after closing the first half with wins over the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks.

With All-Star Ray Allen sidelined with a hyperextended left thumb against the Hornets on February 11, fellow All-Stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett took over, scoring 30 and 14 points respectively to lead Boston to an 89-77 victory.

Allen returned the next night, but Pierce stood out once again, scoring 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Celtics to a 99-92 come-from-behind victory over the Mavericks last Thursday.

Continuing their winning ways might not be so easy for the reigning champions against the Jazz, who have won two straight games and five of six overall this month, including a 117-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

Andrei Kirilenko returned after missing 11 games due to right ankle surgery and provided a spark off the bench, posting 14 points and three steals in 18 minutes.