The Boston Celtics fell to the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets 102-100 at TD Garden Friday night in a game that went down to the wire. With the result, Boston picked up its first home defeat of the season, snapping an historic perfect home record to open the year.
Jayson Tatum had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds of action, but failed to connect on a fading jumper. All told, Boston’s execution in the final minutes of the fourth quarter was a mixed bag, while Denver looked steady and composed. Led by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets were the better team with the game on the line.
Both clubs are bona fide contenders this season, and even with the loss, there is a solid chance that this game was a preview of what may be to come this June. Here’s what you may have missed from a 102-100 Celtics defeat against the Nuggets.
Modest gains for Celtics starters in third returns for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game fan vote https://t.co/gn5UpBuh65 pic.twitter.com/KBuDiSXwHK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 19, 2024
Boston offense
The Celtics scored by committee against the Nuggets, with 4 players scoring 13 points or more for the game. As a result, the scoring output from Boston was relatively consistent, save a brief cold spell to open the third quarter. (As an aside, the Celtics had only 2 turnovers all night, also a strong showing.)
First it was Kristaps Porzingis who had it going from opening tip. Later Jayson Tatum scored a few consecutive baskets, with Derrick White coming alive in the second half. It was a beautiful and balanced onslaught from Boston, and allowed the Celtics a shot at walking away victorious.
A major flaw for the Celts was 3-point shooting. This was the most inconsistent part of the game for the guys in green, with Tatum and Jaylen Brown shooting an abysmal 2-for-17 from deep on the game. While there was a lot to like about Boston’s offense here, a cold night from the team’s stars was a major obstacle.
Catching up with Boston Celtics two way player JD Davison https://t.co/60nr5654zO pic.twitter.com/ZmyP8cNHCa
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 19, 2024
Boston's defense
The defensive effort for the Celtics was inconsistent at times. There were some heroic individual efforts, sure. And the Nuggets made some epic plays of their own. But Boston’s defense didn’t appear dialed in for the entire 48 minutes of action.
Credit must be paid to Denver’s two star players. Murray connected on some massive shots to keep the Nuggets close, and ended the game with 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jokic, meanwhile, looked everything like a two-time MVP, and registered 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists.
It’s not that Boston had a bad night on defense. Despite Denver’s eye-popping numbers, they still barely escaped the Hub with a win. But certainly the Celtics did not play to their defensive potential.
Derrick White trade lands in top-10 deals of last five years https://t.co/Vtvam6SmvF pic.twitter.com/ftygxL95FU
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 19, 2024
Looking ahead
Boston now embarks on a quick road trip, with three games against formidable foes. In order, the Celtics will visit the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat.
Things don’t get much easier when Boston returns to the Hub, however, as then the team squares off against the Los Angeles Clippers, the New Orleans Pelicans, the new-look Indiana Pacers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. From there, Boston’s schedule should finally relax just a tad.
Who are the top 10 Boston Celtics draft picks of all time? https://t.co/VflFSJ0dM8 pic.twitter.com/fWGsGCWZ4x
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 19, 2024
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