The Boston homestead streak is over.
Nikola Jokic led the defending champion Denver Nuggets in ending the Boston Celtics’ franchise-best record of 20-0 at home, scoring a 102-100 win at the TD Garden.
The two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP rallied Denver with 34 points, 12 boards, and nine assists.
Jamal Murray per usual was the perfect complement for Joker, going for 35 points and five assists for the champs.
Murray, Jokic and the Nuggets went into Boston and Knocked off the top team in the NBA.
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2024
Murray: 35 PTS (15-21 FGM), 8 REB, 5 AST
Jokic: 34 PTS (14-22 FGM), 12 REB, 9 AST pic.twitter.com/y6QO7wKZ52
With the first regular season meeting of the two teams, it had to go down to the wire.
In the last two minutes, Jokic missed a crucial three but had Michael Porter Jr. in for the tough putback, putting Denver up 101-98. Jayson Tatum answered back for the Celtics, his two-hand slam making it 101-100 for the Nuggets.
Then came the ending. As Aaron Gordon made his first free throw to put Denver up two, he missed the second and the Celtics grabbed the rebound. However, the call ended up being a jumpball at center court as Jokic ended up successfully baiting the Celtics for a double lane violation.
The Celtics won the tip, but Tatum couldn't cash in as the Nuggets win.Anyways the reaction by Jokic is just superb here pic.twitter.com/DtnaPHfOVP
— Kevin (Only Jokic can save us now) (@_Kevlar23_) January 20, 2024
At the buzzer🤳 pic.twitter.com/36Nzhhynh1
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 20, 2024
Derrick White was the top scorer for the Celtics with 24 points, while Tatum followed with 22 markers. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 21, eight rebounds, and a spectacular block on Jokic in the final stretch.
MPJ also supplied the Nuggets with 13 on the scoreboard.
Denver improved to 29-14, while Boston's record slipped to 32-10.
What he said
Jokic was more than happy taking down the Eastern Conference leaders and praised his backcourt partner for the awesome performance at the TD Garden.
"He got that dog inside of him," he said of Murray.
“He got that dog inside of him”
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) January 20, 2024
- Nikola Jokic on Jamal Murray
pic.twitter.com/B1LORqthjI
