Utah gives up the second-fewest points per game in the NBA. Boston surrenders the third-least amount of points per game. Of course, the oddsmaker knows this. So we have a low total here. But based on circumstances, injuries and a more in-depth look at these defenses, it still makes for a strong Under play.

No team is stingier defensively at home than Utah. The Jazz have been the best in the NBA in defensive efficiency, too, during their past eight overall games.

The Jazz should have lots of defensive energy and intensity having last played on Sunday. They've played three straight road games all against Western Conference opponents. The last time they met an Eastern Conference foe was in their last home game, a shocking 99-94 loss to the lowly Hawks on March 20. The Hawks are a bottom-10 defensive team so Utah only putting up 94 points on them raises questions about just how good the Jazz's are offensively especially when Donovan Mitchell has an off-shooting night.

Utah catches a huge break. Not only are the Celtics without Kyrie Irving, their leading scorer, but Marcus Morris isn't likely to play either. He sprained his ankle in the Celtics' last game, a 102-94 road victory against the Suns this past Monday. Morris has been Boston's top scorer during Irving's absence. The Celtics have become the slowest tempo team in the league since Irving went out. The Suns have the worst defense in the NBA yet held the Celtics two points under their season average.

Boston isn't going to speed things up either in this matchup playing its fourth road game in six days. This is a survival game for the Celtics. Boston has the top defensive efficiency rating in the league when on the road. The Celtics can never be counted out thanks to the superior coaching of Brad Stevens. They will rely heavily on their defense to try to keep this one tight. The Celtics don't play again until Saturday so they shouldn't give up their defensive intensity if they fall behind.