Donovan Mitchell masterclass as Jazz march on

FILE — Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 19, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images/AFP

Donovan Mitchell poured in 36 points as the Utah Jazz extended their Western Conference lead on Tuesday with a 122-108 defeat of the Boston Celtics.

Mitchell delivered another virtuoso performance which included six three-pointers and nine assists as the Jazz rolled to a win that equaled their best ever start to a season.

Joe Ingles added 24 points while French international Rudy Gobert muscled his way to 18 points in Salt Lake City.

📹| 36p | 9a | 6 3pm | 4r | 2b | 1s | 𝗥𝗧 to vote! ⭐️#NBAAllStar | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/ue9KWsMmDX

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 10, 2021

The Jazz now lead the West with a 20-5 record, one game clear of the Los Angeles Lakers, having won 16 of their last 17 games.

“I think the biggest thing is our competitiveness, continuing the fight,” said Mitchell, revealing that Utah were determined to atone for their disappointing first-round loss to Denver in last season’s playoffs.

The @utahjazz are the first team to reach 20 wins! pic.twitter.com/9vWBXg8ZIa

— NBA (@NBA) February 10, 2021

“That was a tough loss for us, but this is how you’re supposed to respond if you want to be the team we want to be,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got plenty of games left this season, but we’re playing well and we’re grooving.”

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics’ scoring with 33 points, while Jayson Tatum had 23.