The Boston Celtics came into Monday's matchup against the Utah Jazz off a fresh loss to a tough Golden State squad, but that loss seemed forgotten as Boston took control of this game.

Both teams started out slow, a first quarter that wasn't very exciting and saw a tie at 17 apiece heading into the second frame. While Utah's Gordon Hayward propelled his team with 26 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the field, it was Boston's defense that helped lock down this game for the green. The second quarter was one giant offensive outburst for Boston, as they outscored the Jazz 38-14 and seemed to be on a path to an absolute blowout. Marcus Smart was back for this contest after missing the Golden State game with a family matter. It's clear that Smart brings a defensive punch to the C's backcourt, and it fueled the second quarter surge.

Utah wasn't done yet though and in the third, they whipped off 35 points as opposed to Boston's 16 and seemed to pull the rug out from under the Celtics. Utah had four players in double-figures, including guard Trey Burke, who came off the bench to score 18 points in 32 minutes of action. It became a question of who would step up for Boston, and the answer came in the form of savvy veteran Tayshaun Prince who was acquired in the Jeff Green trade via Memphis.

Prince had 19 points off the bench for the Celtics and went 7-of-10 in his 30 minutes of play. Prince was a team-high plus-16, as he gives these young Celtics another veteran presence to lean on. The final quarter had tightened up and with Utah in striking distance, it was possible the Celtics of the 2014-2015 season would do what they've been doing, lose a big lead and lose the game. However, this Boston team held it together and scored 28 points in the fourth, just four more than Utah, and ended up winning the game, 99-90.

Utah's young front line showed its muscle with 10 blocks in this game and also out-rebounded Boston, 39-37.  However, Utah has plenty of work to do when it comes to their free-throw shooting, as they were at a mere 58 percent for the game, as opposed to 91 percent for Boston.

The Celtics have been revived on this road trip. The team is playing better basketball, and it's easy to see it on the court. Both clubs play again on Wednesday, with Utah taking on the Los Angeles Clippers at home at a start time of 9 PM ET. Boston, meanwhile, will continue its road trip with their final game coming against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at 8PM ET.