Sweet victory: Celtics 110, Jazz 107

Here's what Paul Pierce said after last night's loss in Portland.

“I told the guys we have to finish off this road trip right, and try and salvage it someway, somehow. The last games are always the hardest games when you’ve been on a long road trip. Mentally you’re worn down, physically you’re worn down, and that’s when the good teams, the mentally tough teams find a way to get those wins."

Boy did they ever.

The Celtics survived a five game in seven night stretch that culminated in its 10th overtime game of the season in a place that has given them fits in recent years. They ended this grueling stretch on a high note, defeating the Jazz 110-107 and got their 30th win of the season (30-27).

Here's a recap:

The good:

* How can I not start with the Celtics two best players, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. After each of them picked up their 5th foul in the overtime, the Big Two did what they do best: they used their grit and veteran savvy and went to work. Once again, Pierce proved why he is one of the most clutch players in the league, igniting a 7-0 run in overtime and 6 in the fourth quarter including two go-ahead jumpers late in the frame. Not only did Pierce put the biscuit in the basket, he "gave the game what it needed." He also grabbed 7 boards and handed out 8 assists. After grabbing a rebound off an Ellis Burks missed shot, Pierce fired a baseball pass down the court and found Jason Terry for an easy layup to put the Celtics up 95-93 with 1:02 to go in the fourth.

* At the start of the overtime, coach Doc Rivers told Brandon Bass to go in for Kevin Garnett in order to rest the old one's legs. A few seconds later, Garnett told Rivers that he was good to go, and he proved so in his play. Garnett and Pierce combined to score 11 of Boston's 13 overtime points. Garnett tallied his 16th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

* The good news about Avery Bradley: He scored a season-high 18 points on 8-of-12 from the floor. He also had 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

The bad:

* For the second straight night, the Celtics endured a long field goal drought late in the fourth quarter, this one lasting 5 minutes and 53 seconds. The Celtics were 4-of-15 from the floor in the fourth.

* The bad news about Avery Bradley: He scored 0 points in the final 15 minutes and 28 seconds of action.

* As Rivers put it after the game, "They [the Jazz] were dominant [on the glass]." Utah only outrebounded Boston by seven, 44-37, but the offensive rebounds killed the Celtics. Utah got extra possessions and it led to extra buckets. Boston needs to cut down on the 15 offensive boards they allowed Utah to grab.


Boston gets a much-needed three day break before hosting the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.