In a possible NBA Finals preview, the Denver Nuggets will host the Boston Celtics at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday at Ball Arena in Denver. The game will air on TNT.
Celtics vs. Nuggets pregame odds
As somewhat of a surprise, the Celtics are a slight underdog for Thursday’s game. The Nuggets won the first matchup of these teams in the middle of January as a road underdog, 102-100. Denver covered the spread of +6.5, and the total score was well under the line of 233.5. Sportsbook odds for tonight’s game are as follows:
- DraftKings: Celtics +1.5, over/under 221.0
- FanDuel: Celtics +1, over/under 221.0
- Caesars: Celtics +1, over/under 221.5
- BetMGM: Celtics +1.5, over/under 221.5
Odds are subject to change and vary between sportsbooks for the Celtics vs. Nuggets.
Celtics vs. Nuggets projected starting lineups
Celtics starting lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown (game-time decision)
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Kristaps Porzingis
Nuggets starting lineup
PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Michael Porter Jr.
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic
Projected starting lineups for each team are provided by Sportsdata.
Celtics vs. Nuggets injuries
The injury report is light for tonight’s TNT matchup between the Celtics and Nuggets. Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable due to a leg strain. Al Horford would join the starting lineup if Brown misses any time, also leaving more minutes for Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser.
Team standings & stats for tonight’s game
Boston Celtics team stats
The Boston Celtics are first in the Eastern Conference and the top team in the league so far this season at 48-13. In Boston’s most recent game, the team lost a close one to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 105-104. The defeat snapped an 11-game winning streak. Jayson Tatum had 26 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort. The Celtics ended up losing this game to the Nuggets but rebounded with a big victory over the Phoenix Suns. Boston next faces the Portland Trail Blazers as heavy favorites. Here are the Celtics’ stats as a team so far this season:
- Points per game: 121.0 (3rd)
- Points allowed per game: 109.8 (4th)
- Rebounds per game: 47.2 (1st)
- Assists per game: 26.4 (17th)
- FG%: 48.6 (10th)
- 3PT%: 38.6 (4th)
Denver Nuggets team stats
The Denver Nuggets are 42-20 on the season, putting the team third in the Western Conference. Last time out, Denver lost in overtime to the Phoenix Suns, 117-107. Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and Jamal Murray added another 28 points. After getting the win over the Celtics, Denver has won three straight games. The Nuggets now face the Miami Heat. Here is where Denver ranks as a team in key stats this season:
- Points per game: 114.4 (16th)
- Points allowed per game: 110.4 (7th)
- Rebounds per game: 44.5 (9th)
- Assists per game: 29.0 (5th)
- FG%: 49.2 (4th)
- 3PT%: 36.8 (14th)
Player stats for Celtics vs. Nuggets
Boston Celtics leaders
The Celtics are on the heels of a road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Earlier this season, Boston lost its first game against the Nuggets, so the top team in the NBA will look to get back on track on Thursday night. Here are the top Celtics players from the recent loss to the Cavs:
- Jayson Tatum (SF): 26 PTS, 13 RBS, 2 ASTS
- Kristaps Porzingis (C): 24 PTS, 9 RBS, 3 ASTS
- Jaylen Brown (SG): 21 PTS, 3 RBS, 4 ASTS
- Jrue Holiday (PG): 12 PTS, 4 RBS, 5 ASTS
- Derrick White (SG): 3 PTS, 6 RBS, 7 ASTS
The Celtics have three players averaging 20 points per game or more this season. As one of the top-scoring teams in the NBA, here are Boston’s season leaders:
- Jayson Tatum: 27.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.8 APG
- Jaylen Brown: 22.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.7 APG
- Kristaps Porzingis: 20.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.0 APG
- Derrick White: 15.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.9 APG
- Jrue Holiday: 12.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.8 APG
Denver Nuggets leaders
The Nuggets are coming off a rare home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Here are the top players from Denver’s overtime defeat:
- Jamal Murray (PG): 28 PTS, 7 RBS, 9 ASTS
- Nikola Jokic (C): 25 PTS, 16 RBS, 5 ASTS
- Michael Porter Jr. (SF): 20 PTS, 7 RBS
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG): 11 PTS, 5 RBS, 3 ASTS
- Aaron Gordon (PF): 7 PTS, 3 RBS, 3 ASTS
For the season, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray lead the Nuggets in offensive production. Ranking in the top 10 in offensive rating, Denver’s season leaders are:
- Nikola Jokic: 25.9 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 9.2 APG
- Jamal Murray: 20.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.5 APG
- Michael Porter Jr.: 16.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 APG
- Aaron Gordon: 13.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.2 APG
- Reggie Jackson: 10.2 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.8 APG
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 10.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
