Boston Celtics Hold Off Late Rally, Win 2nd Straight

For the second time in the last few weeks, the Boston Celtics are owners of a two-game winning streak. For the second time, that second win came courtesy of the Denver Nuggets.

Thanks to two late Denver turnovers and key free throws by Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley, the Celtics were able to hang on at home Wednesday, winning 104-100.

The Celtics nearly wasted a brilliant 2nd quarter performance by their bench. The bench built the lead as much as 13 before a poor shooting second half allowed the Nuggets back into the game.

Two stars off the bench were Marcus Thornton and James Young. Thornton had 17 pts and continues to impress in his role off of the bench.

Young scored all 8 of his points in the second quarter and brought much needed energy to the game. Brad Stevens had this to say after the game about Young: “James’ [Young’s] length and his ability to recover can impact a play defensively. We think he’s getting more and more ready.”

The Nuggets built an early eight point lead in the first, thanks to 10 points from Arron Afflalo.

The Celtics battled back, trailing only 29-26 at the turn of the quarter. Tyler Zeller and Bradley had 6 points each to pace the Celtics.

Led by stellar bench play, the Celtics exploded for 35 points in the second quarter. The trio of Thornton, Young, and Sullinger scored 24 points in the quarter as the bench totaled 29.

The Celtics shot 54% from the field in the quarter, including 7 of 8 from beyond the arc, and led the Nuggets by ten, 61-51.

Thornton led the Celtics with 12 points in the first half, while Afflalo led the Nuggets with 13.

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Boston came out cold in the third, allowing the Nuggets to creep back into the game. The Celtics shot a frigid 27.5% in the quarter, a number that would have been lower if not for the timely shooting of the Celtics bench players.

After the Nuggets got within three, 73-70, Thornton hit a 3-pointer with 2:31 left to put the Celtics up by 6. The bench scored the Celtics final 10 points of the quarter and Boston led by five, 83-78.

More poor shooting in the 4th (30.4%) by the Celtics allowed the Nuggets to tie the score at 92-92 with 5:46 remaining.

The game would go back and forth, with each team matching baskets. After two free throws by Sullinger, the Nuggets called a timeout to draw up a play to potentially tie or take the lead.

With 22.8 seconds remaining, the Nuggets never got that chance. Jae Crowder made a key steal off the inbound pass. A quick flip to Bradley was followed with a foul. Two free throws later, the Celtics had the victory in hand.

Bradley also had 17 points to lead the Celtics. Sullinger, Crowder, and Zeller all scored 14 each. Marcus Smart had 10 rebounds and 8 assists.

Ty Lawson had 23 to lead the Nuggets, while Afflalo ended with 18.

The victory was the 21st time out of the 24 games played against Denver at home that Boston has won.

Boston gets a day off before returning to the court on Friday to host Philadelphia. Maybe this time the Celtics can get that elusive third win in row. Sometimes, the cure that ails is a string of games against team’s with losing records. In Boston’s case, it certainly can’t hurt.

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