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SALT LAKE CITY -- Derrick Favors is a difference-maker, rusty or not. Amini Silatolu Authentic Jersey . Favours returned from a hip injury and set the tone early on his way to 20 points to help the Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics 110-98 on Monday night. "I felt rusty to tell you the truth but it felt good to be back out there. I made a lot of open shots and I think I did a good job defensively to help my team win," Favors said. Utah coach Ty Corbin was glad to see Favours back on the court. "He does so many good things for us on the defensive end, it really makes it easy for the other guys," said Corbin, whose team is 0-9 without his star centre. In the games Favors has missed, its easy to see the Jazz struggle to defend. Even the soft-spoken big man can see the void when hes on the sidelines. "They are a step slow on the defensive end. Usually Im the only guy who helps out when guys make mistakes. Im the guy who bails them out," Favors said. On the offensive end, Alec Burks is the guy who bails out the Jazz when the play breaks down or the shot clock nears zero. Burks scored 21 points and his instant offence helped keep the Celtics at bay but he knows Utahs limited success this season is keyed by defence. "Having that defensive anchor, that man-child down there helps us a lot," Burks said. "When we see he is also confident in his shot, it makes the whole team confident." Marvin Williams added 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting to help the Jazz break a three-game losing streak and end a six-game skid to the Celtics. Favours established himself early with four baskets in the opening quarter and bolstered Utahs leaky defence in the middle. Jeff Green and Kelly Olynyk each had 21 points for Boston, which dropped all four games on its road trip and extended its losing streak to five. The Jazz shot 55 per cent and led by as many 18 points as six players scored in double figures and featured quick ball movement against the weary Celtics. "We couldnt break their rhythm," Green said. "They kept going to the same thing, making us work. They got good looks and were making shots." Favours had three blocked shots and Jeremy Evans had a career-high four but the Celtics made 20 of 21 free throws to stay in the game. Despite a strong game from Rajon Rondo, who had 18 points and 10 assists, the Celtics dropped to 4-22 against teams from the Western Conference and 0-13 on the road. Boston has dropped 18 consecutive road games versus Western Conference opponents since a 110-107 overtime win over Utah last Feb. 25. Burks, who is averaging more than 20 points in a reserve role over the last six games, helped the Jazz finally shake the Celtics mastery over Utah. No current member of the Jazz roster was on the team was on the team when Utah last defeated Boston, 110-97 on March 10, 2010. "Were maturing as a team and Im maturing as a player. Im playing my game. I know my role," Burks said. The Celtics, who shot less than 40 per cent on the road trip, missed regular starters Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley as the Boston offence broke down early and often. Sullinger is following the leagues protocol after suffering a mild concussion Friday, while Bradley has missed 12 of 15 games with an ankle injury. "Were just trying to keep our heads up, keep working. Were banged up," Olynyk said. Rondo passed to Kris Humphries for a jumper and then made one of his own to pull the Celtics to 59-50 to begin the second half. But Williams and Richard Jefferson countered with baskets and the Celtics couldnt again trim the lead to single digits until Jerryd Bayless made a layup to make it 103-94 with 3:18 to play. The Jazz clinched the game with a three-point play by Favours and Williams fast-break layup with 1:08 to play. The starting lineup of Richard Jefferson, Williams, Favors, Gordon Hayward (10 assists) and Trey Burke improved to 17-9 on the year. All other lineups are 3-33 for Utah. NOTES: The start of the game was delayed for 10 minutes while crews fixed the remote-controlled camera perched atop one of the shot clocks. ... Tennis great John McEnroe sat courtside and hit balls into the crowd during a timeout. ... Favours used the ballboys mop to get a ball down that became stuck on the top of the backboard after an errant driving attempt by Bayless. Chase Blackburn Jersey . Five first-round trades were made Tuesday night as well as another involving an early second-round selection. Bene Benwikere Jersey . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Martin St. Louis and Ryan Callahan swapping places. The Rangers Get: RW Martin St.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Ned Colletti thought back to last winter, when people kept pestering him. "Youve got eight starting pitchers. What are you going to do with all eight?" the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager recalled everyone asking. "And three weeks in, were on No. 9." Pitching is at a premium already, with teams looking to increase depth for the long season ahead. Pretty much all free agents are going for top dollar this early in baseballs off-season. Tim Lincecum got a $35 million, two-year contract to stay with the San Francisco Giants, who didnt want him going on the open market. Outfielder Marlon Byrd agreed to a $16 million, two-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies this week, a huge increase from the agreement he signed with the New York Mets last winter that wound up earning him $800,000 -- including bonuses. "Its definitely a little scary," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said Wednesday after hearing some of the asking prices. Several agents were on hand for baseballs meetings this week, which included sessions with GMs for the first three days and a full owners gathering on Thursday morning. The courtship process will build heading toward the winter meetings in nearby Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12. Agent Scott Boras, who wants to goad teams into spending more on free agents, criticized the Mets, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for not spending enough and playfully suggested the Tampa Bay Rays seek a more financially benneficial home. Antoine Cason Authentic Jersey. "I think theres a lot of cities that may attract them," he said. "Maybe New Jersey would like that winning percentage." After missing the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years, the New York Yankees are in a shopping mode. In addition to trying to retain second baseman Robinson Cano, theyre interested in catcher Brian McCann and outfielder Carlos Beltran, among others. They need pitching, too. But there arent any aces on the free-agent market, so teams could bid up the prices of pitchers projected as a No. 2 or No. 3 on a staff. "I dont think theres any question about that," Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik said. "The market sets itself." Only one agreement was announced Wednesday, with infielder Nick Punto leaving the Dodgers for a $3 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. For the premier players, deals will take more time. How long is unclear. "Theres a certain amount of hesitation on really agent side as well as club side in terms of what the market is and whats going to happen next," Mets GM Sandy Alderson said. "Im sure theres some clubs that are looking to jump in and get something done right away and are prepared to do it under any circumstances, and so thats why I think you may see something over the next week or two. I dont think necessarily you have to wait til the winter meetings. 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