Nuggets outlast Celtics in possible NBA Finals preview, 115-109, as Nikola Jokic stars with 32-point triple-double
In a possible preview of the NBA Finals, the Nuggets defeated the Celtics on Thursday night, defeating their Eastern Conference foes 115-109.
Nikola Jokic helped give Denver a four-point lead with 19.1 seconds left, with a ridiculous alley-oop pass to teammate Aaron Gordon that allowed him to dunk home.
Jokic recorded a triple-double of 32 points in the win, also adding 11 rebounds and assists each.
For the Celtics, who still have the NBA’s best record at 48-14, it is the second straight loss after blowing a 22-point lead to the Cavs on Tuesday.
Boston trailed by 11 with less than five minutes to play, but took the lead when back-to-back Jrue Holiday three-pointers made the score 111-109.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, knocks over Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis
But Jayson Tatum was unable to convert on a wide-open corner three with 45 seconds left, and that was the closest Boston would get.
Tatum finished the game with 15 points and eight assists, while Jaylen Brown led Boston with 41 points.
Kristaps Porzingis also scored 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Jokic was helped by 19 points from Jamal Murray and 16 from Gordon.
Denver (43-20) is third in the Western Conference and is now just 1.5 games behind the first-place Timberwolves after the win.