The NBA match on December 31st at 10:00 pits the Utah Jazz against the Boston Celtics in a clash defined by injuries. The Jazz, with a 12-19 record, are on a two-game winning streak. Lauri Markkanen (averaging 27.9 points) and Jordan Clarkson (averaging 24.2 points) lead an offense that ranks sixth in the league. However, their defense, allowing an average of 127.1 points per game, is the worst in the league, with the absence of Kessler and three other key players highlighting their interior vulnerabilities. The Boston Celtics, holding a 19-12 record, are coming off a one-game losing streak. With Jayson Tatum out, Jaylen Brown (scoring 30+ points in nine consecutive games) has been leading the team. The Celtics' core strengths lie in their second-best defensive efficiency in the league and their exceptional three-point shooting.