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Nuggets beat Celtics to snap a 27-game home win streak
The Boston Celtics’ flawless home record came to an end as the Denver Nuggets secured a 102-100 victory at the TD Garden on Friday. The Celtics, who had started the season with an impressive 20-0 record at home, saw their 27-game home win streak dating back to the previous season snapped.
Boston’s last defeat on their home court occurred in a double-overtime game against the New York Knicks on March 5, 2023. Despite this setback, the Celtics’ 20-0 start remains the best in franchise history. They currently hold the best record in the NBA with 32 wins and 10 losses.
As expected, Nikola Jokic played a pivotal role in leading the defending champions as they aimed to end the streak. The MVP candidate delivered an impressive performance, finishing with 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting, along with 12 rebounds and nine assists. Interestingly, he was also at the literal center of the game’s most peculiar call.
During Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon’s free-throw attempt with 17 seconds remaining and the Nuggets leading 102-100, Jokic feigned a move into the paint between Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown. In response, both Celtics players jumped into the lane to block him, allowing Brown to secure an easy rebound.
The officials made the decision to label the play a double lane violation, leading to a jump ball and giving possession to the Celtics.
Following the jump ball, Jayson Tatum gained possession and called a timeout. Subsequently, he had an opportunity to either tie the game or secure a victory but was unsuccessful in both attempts.
It was an engaging match that concluded on a less appealing note, as the two teams collectively made just one field goal in the last 2:50. In general, the Celtics’ shooting performance at 42.7% posed a challenge, even with minimal turnovers and a competitive effort on the boards against the NBA’s leader in contested rebounding rate. Tatum and Brown together shot 15 of 43, accumulating 35 points.
