[ad_1]
Nikola Jokic (30 factors, 12 assists and 12 rebounds) put up a dominant sport for the Denver Nuggets as they began the yr off handing the Boston Celtics the 123-111 loss. Jaylen Brown led the best way for the Celtics with 30 factors and eight rebounds whereas Jayson Tatum adopted up with 25 factors. Derrick White (13 factors) had a stable sport, however moreover him, the Celtics couldn’t discover the underside of the basket sufficient to outpace the Nuggets and a high MVP candidate.
Within the first quarter, Denver used its physicality to determine a fast lead. Boston received an up-close take a look at Nikola Jokic’s offensive prowess, however as a substitute of his regular finesse, he was forcefully utilizing his physique to get Denver some well-earned factors. Aaron Gordon (18 factors, 7 rebounds) and Bruce Brown (21 factors) adopted his lead, punishing Boston on the rim, resulting in the Nuggets capturing 67% from the sector within the first and 75% from behind the 3-point line. Gordon is the precise sort of wing that Tatum struggles in opposition to on each ends.
For Boston, it was good offensive course of, however the pictures are approach off. The altitude undoubtedly appeared to affect the group, resulting in a gradual begin for everybody not named Jaylen Brown. The Celtics regarded like they had been beginning to get issues going within the second quarter, however then issues fell aside fairly rapidly after a weird basket interference name on Robert Williams, who injected some vitality into the torpid lineup after he subbed in. Denver began taking part in even sooner, and Boston misplaced the non-Jokic minutes fairly badly.
It’s powerful to beat Denver when your finest participant is extraordinarily off and each open shot is an airball. Additionally, this was a reasonably dangerous Marcus Sensible sport. Though he got here out aggressive, his shot-making was fairly dangerous. His 7 assists led the group, however between Sensible and Malcolm Brogdon, the Celtics had been missing in PG manufacturing tonight.
For as bodily as Denver got here out, in hindsight, it might have been a greater transfer for Joe Mazzulla to start out Grant Williams over Derrick White. As nice as White’s protection has been this season, that is extra of a Grant matchup than something, and Williams proved that in his minutes. The protection tightened up as Boston went to final yr’s massive beginning lineup. Actually makes you assume!
Facet be aware, the cool factor about Jayson Tatum is that he can play completely terrible to start out a sport and nonetheless finish the primary half with 14 factors and 4 rebounds on 44% capturing. Really a particular expertise.
Boston began Grant Williams within the third over Derrick White in an try and battle again in opposition to Denver’s inside presence. The outcomes had been . . . blended. The group was a -5 within the first 6 minutes of the quarter. Boston’s shotmaking improved a bit, however the protection continued to endure. Boston’s protection was really getting taken benefit of just about each journey down. On the opposite finish, Denver’s sensible doubles on Tatum led to some tough positioning as different Celtics struggled to knock down open pictures.
In the meantime, Denver’s capturing was already good earlier than the half and in some way received even higher within the late third and early fourth. Each time the Celtics had been poised to get some momentum going, a random Bones Hyland (17 factors, 4 assists) three would drop. Both him or Michael Porter Jr. (19 factors) would damage the Celtics on the worst occasions. Boston solely had sufficient within the tank to not get absolutely blown out.
The sport’s rating was 110-97 Nuggets with 6:43 left when Denver employees got here out to regulate Boston’s rim to ensure it was completely stage. The delay lasted about 40 minutes, and that was just about the one factor that would cool off Denver’s insane capturing. Sadly, Boston’s capturing didn’t get significantly better both. The ultimate rating was 123-111.
There’s not too a lot to learn into with regard to this sport. The Celtics had a foul capturing variance sport, and the rim debacle makes this a faux consequence (let me prepare dinner). It’s a disappointing consequence, however after the Celtics got here out flat, they had been principally tremendous for chunk of the sport. It’s a make-miss league, so hopefully the Celtics make greater than they miss as their street journey progresses to OKC, Dallas and San Antonio.
[ad_2]
Source link
