Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Prediction: A mouth-watering affair between two high-scoring teams

NBA is on and this has been another riveting season as we keep on moving ahead. We have seen a rise of several teams that elevated their games but some of them have taken a dive. Both Conferences look stacked and we will be in another intense Playoff picture. Coming back to teams that have been rising, the Denver Nuggets are going to take on the Boston Celtics.

The Nuggets come into this game after completing a stunning 124:119 win against the Miami Heat as the scoring balance was amazing. The team was down by five heading into the fourth quarter but closed the deal with some incredible play on both ends. This was Nuggets’ ninth win in eleven games, having won four in a row three times already this season including a five-game winning streak. As a result, Denver has won 23 games and has lost 12 games. The Nuggets have won 13 and lost just three on their home floor.

Once again, Nikola Jokic is leading in points, rebounds, and assists, but there has had more help compared to last season. Oft-injured Michael Porter Jr. has been a big contributor but his injuries keep coming back. Jamal Murray is a great upgrade at Point Guard compared to last season. Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have boosted both ends and acted as dependable role players. Aaron Gordon is having another solid season and has had some big nights to lift the squad.

The Celtics mark into this affair after defeating the Clippers 116:110 as MVP candidate Jayson Tatum stacked up 29 points and 11 rebounds. This win was the fourth in a row for Boston which lost their way around the third week of December when they lost five of their six games. Apart from that, they have been the best team in the league, winning an incredible 26 games and have lost just 10. Boston’s away from the record is just awesome as they have won 11 and lost just five games.

Unsurprisingly, Jayson Tatum has been the best scorer and is surely in contention for the MVP award. Jayson forms one of the best duos in the league alongside Jaylen Brown, someone who has regularly scored 20+ and has given great production in other aspects. The rest of the scoring has a beautiful balance with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon while the team’s rebounding and defense have been bolstered by the return of disruptive Center Robert Williams III.

• Nuggets: OUT: Jeff Green, Collin Gillespie. QUESTIONABLE: Jamal Murray, PROBABLE: Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown;
• Celtics: OUT: Danilo Gallinari.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Nikola Jokic(30-35 Points), Jayson Tatum(29-35 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Nikola Jokic(12-15 Rebounds), Jayson Tatum(9-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Nikola Jokic(9-12 Assists), Marcus Smart(8-11 Assists).

The Nuggets and the Celtics both have had a bunch of 120+ points games this season and both teams can operate from multiple areas, having no shortage of both isolation and away-from-the-ball players. The Nuggets mostly have an advantage in the middle with Nikola Jokic whereas the Celtics duo of Tatum and Brown will bury multiple Nuggets’ defenders. Anyway, I expect Boston to take full advantage of the two-day rest window and win here with a scoreline of 125:118.