CELTICS 105 NUGGETS 114
So what usually happens to the Celtics is they get out to a big lead and blow it. This game was the complete opposite where the Celtics allowed for the Nuggets to get the big lead, and then let the Nuggets blow it. At the end of the first quarter the score was 37-19 in favor of Denver, and it felt like it was so much more. The Celtics were playing poor defense, but the Nuggets shooting wasn’t helping anything. Carmelo did what he does when he gets on a roll, and JR Smith hit a fade away three from a good 5 feet behind the 3 point line with a hand in his face.
When all was going bad the bench found their way into the game, and they were led by Ray Allen. Whats new, right? Ray was driving to the basket, and hitting his open shots. The defense started to shift around, and the C’s were geting solid stops. By the time halftime rolled around the Celtics had cut into the lead and were ony down by 7. That was very manageable after how it looked like we would get trounced by about 40.
Boston continued to battle back in the third, and finally tied the game up at 66. That was the best they could get, however, as the Nuggets took off after that. It soon became evident that the Celtics had used all of their energy climbing back into the game, that they had no more to give to take the lead.
With everything going the way it was, we never really had a chance to win this game. First we get out to an 18 point 1st quarter defecit. Then the C’s had Paul Pierce who couldn’t hit a shot and was in clear pain (he went 2-10 FG and 1-4 from the line for 5 points). Then you have the fact that we are limited without a true backup guard that can shoot. Then the Celtics were in Denver where the air is thin. Then Denver gets 16 more free throws. Then its the fourth game of a 4 game west coast road trip. Then…then….then….then…. I’m sure the list goes on and on. Oh.. one more… Then the mascot even comes out and gets in on all the fun by hitting a no look, backwards shot from half court. Hey.. it wasn’t the Celtics night, and it was surely the Nuggets.
I can not really complain about this loss. I like the Nuggets. Why? Well they really haven’t given me a reason not to, and besides, I like watching them kick the snot out of the Lakers. A 3-1 road trip was what won the poll about a week ago, and that just shows our fans know what they are talking about. How can I complain about that? I can’t, not one bit. The Celtics got out shot last night, but not out played. They battled until the very end, but sometimes as a team, you just can’t overcome all that is going against you. The Celtics come home on Tuesday to reunite with Eddie House, and get their first look at Nate Robinson as they face the Knicks at the TD Garden.