Boston Celtics Win 2nd Straight, Squeak by Nuggets
It appears Brandon Bass likes being a starter. The rest of the Boston Celtics are showing their appreciation by simply winning.
For the second night in a row, the Celtics won by one point, this time a 100-99 victory against the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s great from a progress standpoint,” said Coach Brad Stevens about winning back-to-back games, “and you hope you can build off of it.”
The veteran forward Bass is certainly taking advantage of his new place in the starting lineup. He filled up the box score, scoring 17 points, pulling down 9 rebounds while dishing out 5 assists and collecting 3 steals.
Avery Bradley made a huge 3-pointer with 1:23 left to give the Celtics a 98-96 lead. “He [Bradley] missed one last night he thought he should have made. He made up for it tonight,” said Stevens.
The ending would not be without drama. Up by 1 with :14 left, Evan Turner missed two free throws. The Celtics could only watch (and then celebrate) as Jameer Nelson missed an 18-ft jump shot as time expired.
The Nuggets used the hot hand of Nelson to take a 28-20 lead after the first quarter. Nelson had 11 points in the quarter, including three 3-pointers.
The Celtics had tied the game at 12 on a Jared Sullinger jumper, but the Nuggets used a 7-0 run to help spur them to the lead.
Bass had 8 points and 3 rebounds in the quarter.
The Celtics took advantage of the Nuggets cold shooting in the second quarter, taking a 42-41 lead with 2:31 left in the half. Turner scored six Celtic points in a row, including a layup to give them the lead.
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The Nuggets rallied with another 7-0 run to close out the half leading 48-42.
Sullinger had 12 points and 4 rebounds to lead the Celtics at halftime. Nelson had 15 points with 4 assists to lead the Nuggets.
The game appeared as if it might get out of hand for the Celtics to start the third. The Nuggets raced out to a 61-49 lead before the Celtics rallied.
Jae Crowder had nine points during the third quarter, including two 3-pointers. The Celtics used a 18-6 run to tie the game on a Marcus Smart three.
The Celtics led 75-74 heading into what would be a back and forth final quarter.
Bradley had a team high 18 points, 8 of them in the deciding quarter. He knocked down 4 0f 5 from beyond the arc.
Sullinger added 14 points and 8 rebounds for the game.
Jameer Nelson led the Nuggets with 23 points and 7 assists against his “former” team.
Bass and the Celtics head to the bay area for a Sunday match-up with the Warriors. Beware of Bass and the boys, Golden State. Anything is possible when the prospect of a winning streak is on the horizon.