NBA roundup: Nuggets hand Celtics their first home loss as Jokic and Murray shine

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray teamed up to score a combined total of 69 points, leading the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 102-100 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday. The matchup, pitting the reigning NBA champions against the league-leading Celtics, lived up to its expectations in an intense battle at Boston’s TD Garden.

Denver’s win brought an end to Boston’s flawless 20-game unbeaten streak at home this season, serving as a significant statement and potentially foreshadowing a matchup in the NBA Finals.

Both two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic and Murray showcased outstanding performances. Jokic contributed 34 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, while Murray led the Nuggets in scoring with 35 points, shooting an impressive 15-of-21 from the field.

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“After the season has started, you have to find ways to keep yourself and your team motivated, and their unbeaten home record really inspired us,” Murray stated post-game.

“We simply aimed to bring the right energy here, regardless of the circumstances. It’s satisfying to secure a win today,” added Murray, who also contributed eight rebounds and five assists.

“They have a great team, with many players I’m familiar with, having played alongside or against them throughout my career. It’s a lot of fun when the competition gets intense and physical like that. Overall, it’s a significant road win.”

Derrick White led Boston’s scoring with 24 points, while Jayson Tatum added 22, and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21.

For a significant portion of Friday’s intense battle, it seemed like Boston might maintain their flawless home record, with the lead changing hands 13 times. The Celtics established a substantial 12-point lead in the second quarter, with Tatum scoring 10 points and Jaylen Brown adding seven. However, Denver consistently fought back, taking a 99-98 lead with 3 minutes and 36 seconds remaining after Jokic’s driving hook shot.

Tatum missed an opportunity to tie the game with an unsuccessful driving layup in the final 17 seconds, and the Nuggets held on for a courageous victory.

Boston retains its position at the top of the Eastern Conference with 32 wins and 10 defeats, leading second-placed Milwaukee (28-13). Denver improved to a 29-14 record and holds the third position in the Western Conference, following Minnesota (30-11) and Oklahoma City (28-13).

Booker’s wisdom

In Friday’s NBA action, Devin Booker showcased brilliance by scoring an outstanding 52 points as the Phoenix Suns secured a dominating 123-109 victory on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Booker, serving as the Suns’ point guard, demonstrated his prowess by making six three-pointers and shooting an impressive 18 of 30 from the field. Kevin Durant contributed 26 points to the Phoenix win, while Bradley Beal added 13.

Despite Zion Williamson’s 24-point effort for New Orleans, they trailed for the majority of the contest against the formidable Phoenix Suns.

On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes for a resurgence were dashed as the 17-time NBA champions suffered a decisive 130-112 defeat against the Brooklyn Nets. Despite promising back-to-back wins over Oklahoma City and Dallas earlier in the week, the Lakers’ optimism was short-lived as they faced a substantial setback against the Nets.

The Nets, entering the game on a four-game losing streak and having lost nine of their last 10 games, emerged victorious in Los Angeles. Cam Thomas led the Nets in scoring with an impressive 33 points coming off the bench, which included four three-pointers. Anthony Davis (26 points) and LeBron James (24 points) were the leading scorers for the Lakers in a game that sent the struggling Lakers back to reassess their approach.

In Orlando, Joel Embiid continued his impressive form for the Philadelphia 76ers, guiding them to a convincing 124-109 victory over the Magic.

The current NBA MVP Embiid put on another outstanding performance, contributing 36 points and securing seven rebounds in just three quarters, effortlessly leading the Sixers to victory.

Embiid’s stellar display in the second quarter included a remarkable moment where the 7ft 2in forward bounced the ball off the backboard and then executed a slam dunk, prompting his teammates to leap off the bench in applause.

This marked Embiid’s 19th consecutive game scoring 30 points or more, and the Sixers extended their winning streak to four games with this convincing triumph.