ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – The importance of continuity and depth.
That’s what the Boston Celtics leaned on, plus a formidable effort from their reserves, keying a crucial second-half run to take down the Denver Nuggets, 107-103, on the first night of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games at the Etihad Arena on Friday, October 4 (Saturday, October 5, Manila time).
Sharpshooting guard Payton Pritchard caught fire at key moments, ending up with a game-high 21 points, 18 off threes, to help Boston maintain distance during Denver’s comeback bid.
“It felt good just to get out there and play the first game in front of a crowd and get my legs under me,” said Pritchard.
“Getting up and down, just competing…it’s a good first step,” the fifth-year guard added.
Jayson Tatum scored 12 points, grabbed 6 boards, and dished out 5 assists, before sitting out the entire second half.
ABU DHABI GAMES | WATCH:
Jaylen Brown on what he liked in the Celtics’ preseason win against the Nuggets. #NBAinAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/pgEyK7JVGt
— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕡 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝 (@philipptionary) October 4, 2024
“[The guards] did a great job getting into our sets quickly, they did a great job making the sets, executing the two-on-one pass, a tremendous job by both guards leading their units,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game.
“I think their leadership is what allowed us to do some situational basketball that we could work on,” he added.
“It’s always great when you emphasize stuff in practice and see it during the game, and you see the guys execute.”
Nikola Jokic, the three-time Most Valuable Player, notched 14 points and hauled in 8 rebounds.
Russell Westbrook, a free agency signing of Denver, submitted 12 points and handed out 8 assists in his first preseason game with the squad.
ABU DHABI GAMES | WATCH:
Russell Westbrook on knowing his new Denver teammates. #NBAinAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/tNod24uwy9
— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕡 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝 (@philipptionary) October 4, 2024
Playing without the frontcourt tandem of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Boston lagged by 14 before Pritchard hit some timely shots to come within a point by the end of the third period, 80-79.
The Celtics led by as many as 5 midway through the fourth quarter and almost blew a two-possession lead in the final minute.
What was thought to be a go-ahead basket by Denver’s Jahmir Young in the dying seconds of the game was determined by referees as an error, allowing the Celtics to hold on to a 103-102 lead.
Two-way player JD Davison later hit the insurance free throws to ice the game, ending things on a positive note for the reigning NBA champions.
The Celtics, known as a volume three-point shooting team, connected on 20-of-61 from downtown, which would have been a franchise record during the regular season.
The clash between the last two NBA champions will culminate on Sunday, October 6, at 6 pm (10 pm, Manila time) at the same venue. – Rappler.com
