Boston Celtics will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the Sunday afternoon season when they take on the visiting Denver Nuggets.
After losing 117-97 on Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Celtics lost a decision of 123-116 to Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday in the opener of a seven game home.
The Celtics starts Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (hand) did not play in the loss for Cavaliers.
“It was definitely an intense game, an amazing atmosphere,” Boston’s Jaylen Brown said. “You could say they wanted to hit us and we came out and swung. And we had enough. We had enough to win the game, even though the one who sat out, whatever, we should have won this game. A couple of property that we can improve and make smarter decisions.
“There are some games that I wish I could have back, but for the most part we were aggressive and they hit shots, so I give them credit.”
Jayson Tatum threw in a season’s high 46 points and had 16 returns during the loss, which dropped Boston’s home ground to 18-11. Tatum and Brown (37 points) all received 33 from Boston’s points.
“There are things that we both probably could have done to put the team in a better position,” Tatum said. “But you learn from it and get ready for Sunday. It should be another fun.”
Boston also lost back-to-back games at the end of December but avoided a third straight setback by earning a victory 142-105 over Indiana Pacers.
Sunday’s Matchup has the last two NBA champions and two of the NBA’s top turf in Tatum (27.0 points per match) and Denver’s Nikola Jokic (29.1). Like Tatum, Jokic set big numbers on Friday night, when he had 23 points, 17 returns and 15 assists to help Denver end Detroit’s eight-game winning line with a decision on 134-119. It was Jokic’s 28th triple dubble this season.
“Nikola … another huge triple double, which affects the game across the line,” said Denver coach Michael Malone.
Aaron Gordon did not play in the victory over Detroit because of a left ankle. Malone said that Gordon’s status for Sunday’s play is unclear.
“I think he had a moment (Thursday) night (in Milwauke),” Malone said. “Give him a lot of credit to fight through and get through that game, but he has definitely not moved as we have become accustomed to seeing him moving. So I think he must have rolled it.”
Gordon (calf) and Jokic (illness) were both out of the set when Boston beat Denver 118-106 on the road 7 January. Tatum led all scores with 29 points in the victory, and Porzingis finished with 25 points and 11 returns. Russell Westbrook scored a team high 26 points for Nuggets.
That game was tied 93-93 before Boston used a 15-0 driving to pull away.
This will be the last stop on a four-match road trip for Denver, which has won 11 of its last 13 matches. Nuggets are 2-1 on the trip so far.
“We have a game left on this road trip – a very challenging game,” Malone said. “Hopefully we can find a way to go into Boston, compete and give us a chance.”
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