We first wondered what this shock would look like in the absence of Nikola Jokic (ill). The clash took place and the Celtics escaped thanks to a boss-sized finish which put an end to the collective push of the Nuggets (106-118).
Author of 29 points, Jayson Tatum was one of the key men in the decisive run in the middle of the fourth quarter. At his side, Kristaps Porzingis had a solid game in attack and responded in defense, like the counter of the evening on the flight to the dunk of the aging but still bouncing DeAndre Jordan.
This was necessary to prevent them from losing a second game in a row – it happened once this season, at the end of December – after this significant defeat on the Thunder floor two days earlier. In Denver, the visitors took things the right way by regaining offensive brilliance: 37 points in the first quarter (25-37).
Perfect tie at the start of the fourth
Only the Nuggets did not intend to slide towards the “blowout” without their leader. Relying on a small army of soldiers, including the hyper energetic replacements Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, the locals got back together. As halftime approached, Jamal Murray took matters into his own hands by scoring eight straight points for his team, including an improbable left-handed basket.
The two teams thus returned to their locker room tied (57-57). Another match was taking place. The Celtics tried to get away with the score again, Russell Westbrook, from 3-points in particular, and the others always found a way to hang on. On a step-back behind the arc, Julian Strawther equalized again, 11 minutes from the end of the proceedings (88-88).
But while the majority of the protagonists were annoyed with the referees, the visitors found the strength to sign this big “run” eight minutes from the end. The local energy suddenly evaporated. The Nuggets lost, but could congratulate themselves on having signed the best match without their boss of their season.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– A fatal run in the fourth. While Christian Braun had just equalized at 3-points (93-93), Kristaps Porzingis set the tone by starting this sequence with an authoritarian tap dunk. The same Porzingis then pushed Braun in the post to bring out a very good ball towards Jrue Holiday at 3-points. Too short behind the arc and lacking offensive inspiration, like this failed recovery from Jordan and while Jamal Murray was still on the bench, the Nuggets conceded another award-winning basket, from Al Horford. Jayson Tatum then punished three meters from the circle, before causing a foul behind the arc. And that’s how Boston killed the game with a 15-0 in four minutes.
– “Turnovers” spoil Russell Westbrook’s performance. With 26 points (9/18 on shots), 9 rebounds and 6 assists, the veteran signed one of his most accomplished performances of the season with the Nuggets. Performance largely wasted for his worst match in terms of lost balls: 8! Including two – foot on the line and unsteady dribble… – three minutes from the end. Clumsiness far too costly for Denver who conceded twice as many points as the Celtics after lost balls (25 to 13).
– Fewer 3-point shots. Notably, the Celtics took “only” 35 winning baskets in this meeting, their 2nd lowest mark of the season. That’s one less than their opponents, and above all 15 less than their average for the season. This night, the visitors, who were coming off their worst performance of the year in this regard in OKC, rather insisted in the racket: 60 points scored, against 46 for the Nuggets.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
