Denver, CO – Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 29 points, and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 25, as the team secured a 118-106 victory over the undermanned Denver Nuggets on Tuesday evening. The Nuggets were without three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who missed the game due to illness.
Porzingis showcased his versatility by grabbing 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday contributed significantly with 19 points. Unlike their usual shooting strategy, where they attempt over 50 three-pointers a game, the Celtics only took 35 shots from beyond the arc in this matchup. Instead, they dominated inside, outscoring the Nuggets in the paint by a tally of 60-46.
On the Nuggets’ side, Russell Westbrook scored 26 points but also recorded eight turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. supported the effort with 15 points and 10 rebounds, yet the Nuggets fell to a disappointing 10-7 on their home court this season, a stark contrast to their strong 33-8 record from the last season.
While the Nuggets trailed by as much as 15 points in the first half, they managed to keep the game competitive toward the end. A stoppage in play occurred with 8:56 left after ice spilled on the court, causing a delay in the game. Following the timeout, Christian Braun hit a three-pointer that leveled the score at 93.
The Celtics, however, went on an impressive 15-0 run that solidified their lead and ultimately sealed the win. This game was expected to feature a showdown between two of the league’s elite players, but with Jokic moving from probable to questionable and eventually being sidelined, the contest lacked the anticipated matchup. In addition to Jokic, Denver also missed Aaron Gordon due to a calf injury.
In terms of takeaways from the game, the Celtics exhibited strong defensive plays down the stretch, highlighted by steals from Al Horford and Tatum. Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ bench had a commendable performance, with Julian Strawther scoring 19 points and Peyton Watson contributing 14.
A pivotal moment in the third quarter came when Porter went for a dunk and appeared to be fouled by Sam Hauser with 2:57 left on the clock, with Denver trailing at that point. The Celtics successfully challenged the play.
The game featured a competitive atmosphere with a total of 10 lead changes and eight tied scores throughout.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets will quickly pivot to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, while the Celtics will prepare for a home game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
