The Celtics performed distinctive protection down the stretch, together with intercepting Al Horford and Jayson Tatum.
DENVER — Jayson Tatum scored 29 factors, Kristaps Porzingis added 25 and the Boston Celtics held off the depleted Denver Nuggets 118-106 Tuesday evening because the three-time NBA MVP. Nikola Jokic I used to be absent because of sickness.
Porzingis pulled down 11 rebounds, whereas Jrue Vacation contributed 19 factors. The Celtics tried 35 3-pointers, which was properly beneath their season common of fifty.17. As a substitute, they outscored the Nuggets by a 60-46 margin within the paint.
Russell Westbrook had 26 factors for Denver and eight turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. added 15 factors and 10 rebounds because the Nuggets fell to 10-7 at dwelling. They have been 33-8 final season.
Trailing by as a lot as 15 factors within the first half, the Nuggets rallied to make sure the sport remained shut till the top. There was a momentary pause with 8:56 left when a cup of ice cream spilled onto the court docket. It took a number of minutes to scrub. Christian Braun adopted with a 3-point basket to tie the sport at 93.
Boston went on a 15-0 run to assist cement the victory.
The matchup between the final two NBA champions was gearing as much as function two of the very best gamers within the league. However Jokic went from possible to uncertain to lastly being dominated out. The Nuggets have been additionally lacking Aaron Gordon (calf).
Celtics: Stellar protection down the stretch, together with interceptions from Al Horford and Tatum.
Nuggets: The bench had a robust efficiency with Julian Strawther scoring 19 and Peyton Watson 14.
Porter gave the impression to be fouled by Sam Hauser on a dunk with 2:57 left within the third quarter and Denver trailed 80-77. The Celtics received the problem.
There have been 10 lead adjustments and eight ties.
The Nuggets flip round and host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday evening, whereas the Celtics play at dwelling towards Sacramento on Friday.
