Denver Nuggets (37-22) beat Boston Celtics (38-20) 103-84 at home on Wednesday, February 25 in a low-scoring game: just 187 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Celtics had the better start, winning the first 24-21 to lead by 3 after one. The Nuggets cut into the deficit with a 26-24 second quarter, though the Celtics still led by 1 at halftime.
The Nuggets won the third 30-19 to turn the game around, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth. The Nuggets took the fourth 26-17; the Nuggets finished the job for a 103-84 regulation win.
What decided it
The Nuggets took better care of the ball, turning it over on 8.4% of possessions compared with 13.7% for the Celtics. The Nuggets got more from their shots, finishing at 50% effective field-goal shooting compared with 42.2% for the Celtics. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Celtics did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 16.9 against 10.8. The Nuggets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 95 possessions per team, the Nuggets produced 108.5 points per 100 possessions to 88.5 for the Celtics.
The Nuggets' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 40-23.
Who made the difference
Nikola Jokic was the game's biggest individual force for DEN: 30 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast on 11-28 shooting. His Game Score of 20.8 led everyone. His team was +13 with him on the floor.
Derrick White led the Celtics with 20 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 blk on 6-14 shooting, good for a 17.8 Game Score.
Nikola Jokic (30 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast) and Jaylen Brown (23 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 51% for the Nuggets.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Boston Celtics lead 2-1.
The Nuggets are now 37-22, and the Celtics are 38-20. The Nuggets last five before this game: L-W-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.