Denver Nuggets (0-1) vs. Boston Celtics (1-0), Preseason Game #2, 10/6/24

The Celtics and Nuggets meet for the second time in three days and continue their preseason games. The Celtics won the first game between these two teams 107-103 on Friday in Abu Dhabi. After this game, both teams return home to complete their pre-season preparation. On Friday, the starters only played the first half and then sat in the second half and let the reserves finish the game. I expect this pattern to continue in this game.

The Celtics lost the series 2-0 to the Nuggets last season, losing 109-115 in Denver and 100-102 in Boston. The Celtics return largely unscathed from last year's team, losing only Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett. They added Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson through the draft and Lonnie Walker IV as a free agent on a training camp contract. On Friday, Scheierman played just over 7 minutes, while Walker and Watson saw just over 4 minutes of action. I expect we'll see more of these three in this game.

The Nuggets lost their two starters, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to the Orlando Magic in free agency. They also lost Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday. They added some very important players in Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric as well as DaRon Holmes II. Westbrook played 18 minutes while Saric played 14 minutes, with both playing quite well for the Nuggets.

The biggest question for the Nuggets is who will inherit the starting shooting guard spot with Caldwell-Pope gone. Most believe Christian Braun will fill that spot, but Malone could opt for Julian Strawther or even Russell Westbrook. Braun started Friday and played 13 solid minutes. Strawther came off the bench and played very well for 22 minutes.

The biggest question for the Celtics will be center rotation with Kristaps Porzingis out until December. I expected Al Horford to start Friday, but Luke Kornet got the start and Horford received a DNP-CD. Kornet played 21 very solid minutes. Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta played almost 15 and 13 minutes, respectively. Horford could start in this game, come off the bench, or get another DNP CD. I'll put him among the starters because that's just as likely as anyone else.

Kristaps Porzingis is the only player on the Celtics' injured list. He is out after the playoffs due to ankle surgery and is expected to be out until at least December. The Nuggets have Peyton Watson out with a hamstring injury. The injury is not serious but he is expected to miss at least the first two preseason games. DaRon Holmes is out after tearing his Achilles tendon during Summer League.

Likely Celtics starters

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Celtics reserves
Sam Hauser
Luke Kornet
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh

2-way player
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anthony Watson

Training camp contracts
Tristan Enaruna
Ron Harper, Jr
Dmytro Skapintsev
Lonnie Walker IV

Injuries/losses
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is out

Head coach
Joe Mazzulla

Likely Nuggets starters

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Nuggets reserves
Vlatko Cancar
DeAndre Jordan
Zeke Nnaji
Dario Saric
Julian Strawther
Hunter Tyson
Russell Westbrook

2-way player
Trey Alexander
PJ Hall
Spencer Jones

Training camp contracts
Gabe McGlothan
Jaylin Williams
Jahmir Young

Failure/injuries
DaRon Holmes II (Achilles) is out
Peyton Watson (hamstring) is out

Head coach
Michael Malone

Key Matches

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• 

  Payton Pritchard
  
  

  Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
  

• 

  Russell Westbrook
  
  

  Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images
  

Payton Pritchard vs. Russell Westbrook
These two players came off the bench and led their respective teams. Payton Pritchard finished the game with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field and 50% from distance. Westbrook finished the game with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists while shooting 30% from the field and 50% from distance.

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• 

  Al Horford
  
  

  Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
  

• 

  Nikola Jokic
  
  

  Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
  

Al Horford vs. Nikola Jokic
Horford did not play in Friday's game and we may or may not see him in this game. Kornet held his own against Jokic on Friday, scoring 6 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal while shooting 60% from the field. Jokic finished the game with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals on 71% shooting. If Horford doesn't start, Kornet will probably start again.

Honorable mention
Drew Peterson vs. Julian Strawther
I expect the starters to play limited minutes again and the reserves will therefore be key to winning this game. Peterson played well in his 12 minutes and was the star of the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal while shooting 44% from the field and 40% from long range. Strawther finished the game with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 22 minutes while shooting 50% from the field and 33% from long range.

Key to the game
defense – Whether in the preseason, regular season or postseason, defense will always be the key to winning games. Last season, the Celtics were first in the league with a defensive rating of 108.2 and the Nuggets were fifth with a defensive rating of 110.9. The Celtics will need to prioritize defense again this season if they want to become champions again.

Rebounding – Rebounding is another key to winning every game. Last season, the Celtics were first in the league with an average of 46.3 rebounds per game. The Nuggets ranked 2nd in the league with 44.4 rebounds per game. On Friday, the Celtics grabbed 44 rebounds to 49 for the Nuggets. Rebounding requires effort and the Celtics will have to work harder to grab rebounds to limit the Nuggets' second-chance points and fast breaks. The Celtics can't let the Nuggets overtake them on the boards.

3-point shooting – The Celtics relied on shooting threes last season. They were first in the league making 43.5 three-pointers per game. They also ranked 1st in the league with 16.5 three-pointers per game. On Friday, they took three-point shooting to a new level, making a record 61 three-point shots. Michael Malone has said he wants his team to shoot more three-pointers this season. Last season they were 10th in 3-point percentage at 37.4%, but they were 30th in 3-point attempts at just 31.2 per game. On Friday, they made 32 threes. The Celtics shot just 32.8% while the Nuggets made 37.5% of their threes.

depth – With starters playing limited minutes, the strength of these teams will be tested. In Friday's game, the Celtics' starters were outplayed by the Nuggets' starters. At halftime, when the starters finished, the Nuggets led 63-56. The Celtics' reserves outscored the Nuggets' reserves 51 to 40 in the second half, securing the victory for the Celtics.

X-Factors
It's the preseason – Even if these are special games in Abu Dhabi, it is still the pre-season. Player development, building chemistry and player evaluation are still the most important things for coaches in pre-season. We'll likely see more rookies in this game, as well as players with camp contracts, as coaches evaluate players in the bubble for playing time and look to retain their starters for the regular season.

Officiating – I know I say this every game, but management can always be a deciding factor, even in pre-season and even in Abu Dhabi. Every team decides the game differently, whether they punish every little ticky-tack foul or give up a lot of contact and let the teams play. The referees are also in preseason, so it's hard to know how they will handle this season. The Celtics need to get used to the way the game is called and not allow the calls to affect their concentration or play.

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