The Jazz lost 104-98 to the Celtics on Dec. 29 in Salt Lake City, dropping them to 16-16 on the season. Paul Pierce scored all 24 of his points in the second half and the Celtics won largely because of two plays.

Ray Allen nailed a three-pointer after nearly losing the ball and Pierce drove for a lay-up against Ronnie Brewer. Boston is just one of three teams (Houston and Portland are the others) to beat the Jazz at home this season.

Since losing to the Celtics, the Jazz have won 27 of 34 games. The Jazz have won just 15 of 35 road games all season, however, and are searching for consistency on the road going into the playoffs.

JAZZ 114, BUCKS 110: Trailing by 11 points with five minutes remaining, the Jazz stormed back to take an improbable victory and avoid following Tuesday's loss to Chicago with another 24 hours later against an even weaker team.

The Bucks were missing three injured starters -- Mo Williams, Desmond Mason and Yi Jianlian -- but the Jazz' comeback was nevertheless impressive. They outscored Milwaukee 22-7 down the stretch and came up with big rebounds and big stops in the final minute.

Mehmet Okur grabbed two offensive rebounds during one sequence before finding Carlos Boozer for the go-ahead lay-up with 46.1 seconds left. Andrei Kirilenko then blocked Michael Redd's lay-up attempt and Boozer later stripped Charlie Villanueva inside.

The Jazz scored 40 points and led by as many as 16 in the first quarter, but gave up a 12-0 run to the Bucks in the fourth in which they came up empty on eight possessions. The Jazz went 0-for-7, had three shots blocked and committed three turnovers in that stretch.