Boston Celtics Handed First Home Loss of Season in 102-100 Loss to Denver Nuggets

By Stephen Ur

The Boston Celtics hosted the defending champion Denver Nuggets at TD Garden in Boston, MA on Friday night. The Celtics came into the game a perfect 20-0 at home this season and looked to continue that hot streak against Denver, who came in third in the Western Conference.

The biggest lead for either team in the first quarter was five as Boston got off to a 5-0. Denver kept it a one-point game throughout the remainder of the quarter, whether they trailed or had the lead, but it was the Celtics who had a one-point lead after the first 12 minutes with the score 32-31.

They would build a lead as big as 10, going on a 13-3 run in a span of 3:17 after a three-pointer from Jamal Murray tied the game at 43. Denver would close the gap to five before halftime, and the Celtics led 61-55 at the break.

With 11 minutes left in the fourth, the Nuggets took their first lead since the seven minute mark in third and led by just two with 13.4 second left. Tatum, who scored 22 points, had the shot at the game-tying shot, but came up. The Nuggets handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season, 102-100.

Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White also scored 20+ points, scoring 21 and 24 respectively. Jaylen Brown scored 13 points.

Jamal Murray led the game with 35 points. Nikola Jokic scored 34 points of his own for Denver.

The Celtics will head back on the road to take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.