The Denver Nuggets just suffered their first defeat since the All Star break. After falling badly and coming back to force overtime, the Nuggets were unable to overcome Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in a tough loss. Two days later, they got the team with the best record in the NBA, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are heavy favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, as their revamped team around stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has paid off so far. Boston added Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in the offseason, rounding out its roster into the most talented team in the East and perhaps the NBA as a whole. Denver will need to put in a top-notch performance to secure victory.
The essentials
WHO: Denver Nuggets (42-20) vs. Boston Celtics (48-13)
When: 8:00 p.m. (French time)
Or: The can. Denver, Colorado.
How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy…unless it’s a fictionalized 18th century hack. TNT. NBA League pass for those not in the Nuggets market. Altitude Radio 92.5. Talk like an obnoxious city slicker, wear a bunch of Dunkin Donuts products, and say you’re part of Ben Affleck’s entourage.
Rival blog: Celtics Blog
The game
| Position | Nuggets | Suns | Advantage |
| PG | Jamal Murray | Jrue Vacations | Nuggets |
| SG | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Derrick White | Celtics |
| SF | Michael Porter Jr. | Jaylen Brown | Even |
| PF | Aaron Gordon | Jayson Tatum | Celtics |
| VS | Nikola Jokic | Kristaps Porzingis | Nuggets |
| Bench | Reggie Jackson, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji | Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, Sam Hauser | Even |
Injury Report: Vlatko Cancar – out (knee); Jaylen Brown – questionable (back), Neemias Queta – out (knee), JD Davidson – out (G-League), Drew Peterson – out (G-League), Jordan Walsh – out (G-League).
The three things
What to watch out for: Entries versus entries
January 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) have a jump ball in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
I’m very intrigued by the makeup of the starting lineup in this one. The Celtics have a starting five unit that’s loaded with talent, just like the Nuggets, and they’re the only team in the NBA that you could argue, from a pure talent standpoint, might have a better five departure than Denver. Here’s the problem, they are so smol. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are fantastic defenders and have good size for the point guard position, Boston can put either one on Jamal Murray and know it’s a game they have the right personnel for. Unfortunately, both guys are undersized at anything other than point guard, so playing them at the same time in the starting lineup makes Boston undersized across the board. Brown should be at the other guard position, but instead at small forward he is matched against 6’10” Michael Porter Jr. Tatum should be at small forward but is instead playing power forward where he will yield 25 pounds of muscle in Aaron. Gordon. Kristaps Porzingis is great as a rim protecting four, but as a five, who should hit low with Nikola Jokic? Let’s just say the results haven’t been in the Zinger’s favor. Now the Celtics have two big, solid players to bring off the bench, Al Horford and Luke Kornet, so I’ll be curious to see how long they stick with the starters and when they do, will it create matchups that Denver can exploit.
What you must remember : The Celtics are looking for a little revenge
The Nuggets won a 102-100 affair against Boston in January and it was the Celtics’ first loss at home this season. The Nuggets have already lost six games at home this season, so Boston coming here and winning probably won’t do the same, but I’m sure they’d still like to return the favor by handing Denver a loss on their home court. Like the Nuggets, the Celtics are also coming off a tough, back-to-back loss on national television Tuesday after the Cleveland Cavaliers won a challenge in the final seconds of the game to secure the victory. Both teams are going to be hungry to win and I expect a playoff type intensity and atmosphere.
The thing to bet on: Nuggets -1.5 (-110)
Like I said, Boston is extremely talented, but I’m just not buying the Celtics matchup here. I especially like it for the Nuggets on their home court. I’ve seen Joker take on Porzingis so many times it’s comical. I don’t know how Tatum will avoid being constantly bullied in the post by Gordon and if Porter’s shot is successful he can shoot Brown at any time. I like the Nuggets in this one and will risk them not winning the game on a buzzer beating one point.
Stiffs evening again tonight!!
We return to number thirty-eight in Rino to watch this match. Come enjoy great drink specials, awards shows, live podcasts and watch the Nuggets beat the Celtics on many big screens. It was a fantastic time on Saturday and I hope to see everyone again (plus some who couldn’t make it last time) this evening! The grand prize will be a Jamal Murray jersey, enter here for your chance to win (Obligatory presence).
