Final: Nuggets 102, Celtics 100 - Tatum, Brown struggle from field in first home loss

BOSTON CELTICS vs. DENVER NUGGETS

7:30 p.m. - NBC Sports Boston/ESPN

Line: Boston -7

INJURIES

Boston: None

Denver: Aaron Gordon (PROBABLE, knee), Vlatko Cancar (OUT, knee), Julian Strawther (OUT, knee)

NOTES

- Denver is 11-10 on the road. Boston is 20-0 at home. 

- Denver is 11-11 vs. teams that are .500 or better. Boston is 18-7. 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Make Jokic a scorer: This is the standard approach against Denver, but it’s easier said than done. Denver is 75-114 all-time in the regular season when Jokic has four or fewer assists, but how do you keep a passer like Jokic from setting up his teammates? Stay home on those other guys and single cover Jokic as best you can. But also, that's just part of the defensive strategy.

“I would say there's no right answer,” Joe Mazzulla said before the game. “To sit here and think that there's one way to guard him, there isn't one. So I think it's just more about what you're willing to start taking away and then what you have to do throughout the game. And I know I've seen a stat of like, he shoots more than 20 shots that they lose and 15 and they win. And maybe a little bit, but to me, it's just you got to be very diligent in what you're willing to live with and what you're willing to take away.”

2. Don’t skimp on Kristaps Porzingis’ opportunities: I love a great opportunity to bust out the “defend with your offense” line. Denver isn’t going to have much choice but to put its longest player on Porzingis, so the Celtics need to wear Jokic out by putting him in a ton of actions. Force him to defend as many pick-and-rolls as possible and then make him get out to Porzingis on the 3-point line. Get him as tired as possible early and hope he wears down and maybe gets frustrated. 

3. Keep an eye on Aaron Gordon: He has a very annoying way of being a killer for the Nuggets. He’ll score on cuts, offensive rebounds, and transition. Anywhere he gets a favorable cross-match, he’ll find a way to exploit it. The Celtics need to just be aware of his whereabouts. The Nuggets are 2-4 if he scores in single digits, so limiting him can be a big part of a win. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.