Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continue to prove they are the best duo in the NBA. After a disappointing loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Nuggets bounced back. Jokic and Murray combined for a staggering 69 points, 20 rebounds and 14 assists on a combined 29 of 43 from the field. This not only felt like a huge matchup, it felt like a playoff game. The Celtics had a home record of 20-0 heading into this game, a franchise record. The Nuggets came in and ended that streak.
The game consisted of countless runs by both teams, with eight times tied and eight lead changes. It felt like anybody’s game, especially in the second half, which was very back-and-forth. The chippy play by both teams led to a low free throw night overall. It was an impressive performance of Jokic and Murray’s shooting against Boston’s ball movement and ability to find open threes.
Nuggets’ Playoff Defense Showed in the Second Half
Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis all added 20+ points for the Celtics. They got out to a hot start, scoring 61 first-half points, thanks to the three-point shooting from Porzingis and White, but the stagnant second-half offense only produced 39 points. Much of that was due to the lockdown defense from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Jaylen Brown and Aaron Gordon on Jayson Tatum. Boston’s star duo only shot 2/17 combined from the three-point line.
Not only did Gordon and Caldwell-Pope show up on the defensive end, but so did Jokic, especially at the end. Jokic moved his feet quickly and was able to defend Jrue Holiday multiple times, including the second-to-last possession for Boston, where he forced Joe Mazzulla to use his final timeout.
Playoff Feel
The Nuggets’ starters played heavy minutes in this contest, and Michael Malone ran a shortened rotation. It was easy to tell they treated this game like it was the playoffs, as did Boston. Both teams ran nine-man rotations. Every Nuggets starter played 37+ minutes and every Celtics starter played 36+ besides Jrue Holiday.
The defensive performance by both squads in the second half was a great watch. It was gritty and every shot made was a tough one. In the last 3:35 of the game, there was only five total points scored. That is unheard of in today’s game where high-powered offense has taken over.
Jokic and Murray Prove They’re Still the Best Duo
Jamal Murray put up one of his best performances of the season with 35 points and 8 rebounds. Nikola Jokic added yet another Sombor double with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. They combined for over 2/3 of the Nuggets’ total points.
In games that matter, those two always show up. Their stat lines don’t even show their true impact in the game. Every time one of the two was on the bench, the other took over. Murray kept the ship afloat while Jokic would sit, and Jokic was his typical self while Jamal was off the court. It felt like every shot those two put up was going in regardless of what defender was in front of them. They weren’t going to let the Celtics’ home record go on for any longer.
The Nuggets next game is Sunday in Washington against the Wizards.
