What could look like a preview of the Finals lives up to the promises. The two teams did not give up, although the Nuggets only led on two possessions in the first quarter: the first, and the last on a prayer of Jamal Murray. Jaylen Brown keeps the Celtics in the match with his activity.
The All-Star winger is thus opportunistic on the offensive rebound and omnipresent in the attack of the circle with more than half of Boston's points in the second quarter (15 out of the C's 26). He finds the answer with an excellent passage of Nikola Jokic13 points in six minutes including the basket at the buzzer of the first period to give the reigning champion some breathing space.
The lead is short-lived with the two 3-point baskets from Kristaps Porzingis from the first minute of the third quarter in one minute. The Latvian provides some welcome spacing with a third winning shot before Jaylen Brown once again takes over. But the two men are very lonely in scoring. And like at the end of the second quarter, Denver finished the third act better.
Clumsy at shooting, the Nuggets then found marksmanship by Peyton Watson And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to take a ten-point lead. Peyton Watson does a great job while Nikola Jokic gets treatment for a hit. Denver is holding on without its MVP. The return of the Serbian concentrates the defense of the league leader… And that of the referees. Serve receives a technical for yelling his anger at a forgotten whistle, and Boston completely revives.
Jrue Holiday shoots two arrows from behind the arc, when Jamal Murray makes the wrong choices. Jayson Tatum, too little present offensively especially in the last minutes on Thursday, misses the shot from distance to go in front. Nikola Jokic takes the opportunity to work his magic, attract the hold of two and send Aaron Gordonalready author of a completely crazy tap dance two minutes earlier, in the skies.
The Nuggets win the second and final regular match between the two teams. Second defeat in a row by Boston, a first since November 8.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Irresistible Nikola Jokic. The Ball Arena shuddered for a while seeing its favorite hold his arm in the third quarter, before stretching it for a long time on the bench. A simple setback in a match once again of a very high level, with a triple double (32 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) and a power of attraction on the opposing defense which notably released Aaron Gordon at the end of the match.
– The Celtics weighed down by their clumsiness. Jaylen Brown was magnificent offensively, carrying his team on his shoulders for long minutes. But with his unusual 7/14 free throws, he symbolizes Boston's failure in shooting. 28.9% from distance, 64% from throws, it's too much in a match that was played over two possessions.
– The Nuggets bench makes the difference. 28 to 10, Mike Malone's replacements largely dominated those of Joe Mazzulla. The prize goes to Peyton Watson, magnificent with energy in the second period, especially when Jokic was off the field. The rotations were very well managed since all the players on the Denver bench finished with a positive +/-.
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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.
