The NBA clash between Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics on December 31st at 10:00 pits offensive firepower against defensive resilience under the shadow of injuries. The Jazz, with a 12-19 record and riding a two-game winning streak, boast a potent attack, ranking sixth in the league, spearheaded by Markkanen (averaging 27.9 points) and George (averaging 24.2 points). However, their defense struggles, allowing a league-worst 127.1 points per game. Key absences, including Kessler and three other starters, expose vulnerabilities in their interior defense. The Celtics, holding a 19-12 record and coming off a loss, are led by Brown (with a streak of nine consecutive games scoring 30+ points) in the absence of Tatum. Their core strengths lie in their second-ranked defensive efficiency and excellent three-point shooting.