BOSTON — As the Celtics and Nuggets met up for the first of two times this season Friday, there was a buzz in the air at TD Garden. The league’s reigning champs in the Nuggets matched up against what’s been the best team in the league in the Celtics, who are trying to climb their own mountaintop.
At this point, the Celtics and Nuggets only have one more guaranteed rematch on the calendar, a March 7 game in Denver. But there was some obvious wonder on if these two teams could meet up in the NBA Finals come June. That’s a long ways away, but the high-level hoops from Friday shined throughout the game. It’s why Kristaps Porzingis also pondered on what a potential rematch could look like.
“If we see them in the postseason,” he said, “it’s going to be a big chess match.”
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There was plenty to watch throughout Friday’s game. The Celtics weren’t quite able to pull out the win as they fell just short in a 102-100 loss to the Nuggets. It’s the first time the C’s lost at home this season as they’re now 20-1 at the Garden. There were also some tactical battles that came throughout Friday’s game as both teams tested out different lineups and looks against their talented counterparts.
The main factor was how to guard two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who cemented his status last season when he won a title in Denver. The C’s tried out different looks, whether it was Porzingis, Al Horford or even Jrue Holiday on some possessions. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla also mixed up some lineups, featuring double bigs for long stretches, as well.
“He’s the best player in the world and he’s just so crafty,” Porzingis said of Jokic. “Just kind of almost makes you fall asleep like he’s not doing anything and just slides by you. He has so many tricks and so many things that he can do, and then making so many tough shots that are not really tough for him.”
Of course, the Nuggets also tinkered with their own looks. They changed up the matchup on Porzingis after the big man’s hot start to the game with Aaron Gordon. They also made life difficult for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, though both of them had off shooting nights from deep. So there are plenty of factors to consider when looking at these two talented teams.
At this point, the playoffs themselves are still months away from starting. Both teams could look slightly different in a potential Finals rematch. But the possibility is there, and as seen Friday, a seven-game series could be plenty of fun.
“I love it even though we lost, it’s a great game for us,” Porzingis said. “There are many things I think that we’re gonna look at and we can study those things because this is a real team, this is last year’s champs and that’s what we wanna be. I think from our side, their side, fans, everybody just kind of knew it was a big match up. There’s definitely things to take away from this one.”
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