Let’s get right to the point. The Nuggets are better than the Celtics.
The good news, of course, is that the above doesn’t mean anything yet – and it won’t unless the teams meet again in June, when they would play for the NBA championship. But based on the results of this regular season, that’s probably something the Celtics and their followers should be looking to avoid after the Nuggets again defeated the Celtics last night, this time by a 115-109 score in Denver.
The Celtics and Nuggets have now played twice this year and the games, while close, have both produced Denver victories. (Remember that theory about the Celtics being able to win playing different styles?) The Celtics never led after the first quarter last night, though they had the chance to take the lead late when Jayson Tatum missed a wide open 3-pointer from the right corner with about 45 seconds left that could have given Boston a 112-111 lead.
Repeat: Tatum missed again in the final minute with the chance to give the Celtics the lead.
“I thought he was just taking what the defense gave him,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters when asked about Tatum, who had just seven points in the final three quarters. “Jaylen [Brown] had a tremendous game. The matchup with Kristaps [Porzingis], we were able to take advantage of that. I thought [Tatum did] what he thought the game needed.”
That’s fair.
But with 45 seconds to play, they needed him to make a big shot.
And he didn’t.
Now having lost consecutive games for just the second time this season, the Celtics will play again at Phoenix on Saturday night. They still possess the best record in the NBA. But if you’re looking for reasons that the matchup with Denver should concern you – and it should – some things stand out from the two meetings against the Nuggets this year:
The Nuggets have the best player
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t be insulted by this – t The Nuggets have the best player in the league. The question is whether the Celtics can do something to mitigate – or slow down – Nikola Jokic, who has averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against them this season. As good as Porzingis has been for the Celtics this season, he doesn’t appear to have had much effect on Jokic, who is able to muscle him in the paint. Porzingis played well last night, but Denver’s ability to go to Jokic at the biggest moments was an enormous difference-maker in last night’s game. Few (if any) in the league have an answer for him – including the Celtics.
Denver has dictated the pace in both meetings
DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 7: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena on March 7, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brendall O’Banon/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Remember when the Celtics recently attacked the rim against Philadelphia and everyone said they had changed? Well Denver wasn’t buying it. And they won’t until the Celtics prove they can beat Denver in a half-court game, which they have not been able to do. For the year, the Celtics are averaging 120.5 points and more than 16 3-poinmters per game while shooting .385 from distance. Against the Nuggets, those numbers are 104.5, six (yes, six) and .305. Denver has taken away the 3-point line and forced the Celtics to play at a more deliberate pace – and the Celtics haven’t been able to win yet. Yes, the games have been close. But close favors the Nuggets.
The Nuggets have answers for Jayson Tatum
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Celtics found points in other places last night – Jaylen Brown (41 points, 14 rebounds) was brilliant – but the truth remains: while Jokic has been tearing the Celtics apart, Tatum has been neutralized. Denver has physical, athletic wings that make Tatum uncomfortable and the numbers prove it. In two games against Denver, Tatum is shooting 14-for-37 overall (37.8 percent) and just 3-for-13 from distance (23 percent) while averaging 18.5 points and six rebounds. Last night, he had five turnovers. If the Celtics are going to beat the Nuggets in a series of any kind, they have to find a way for Tatum to have greater impact on the game, particularly against a Denver defense that can throw an array of defenders at him, including Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.
