Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

Celtics Hope to Cap Road Trip in Style Against Nuggets

The Boston Celtics are aiming to finish their four-game road trip on a high note when they face the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. After back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, Boston stumbled with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, leaving them with a chance to secure a winning trip in Denver.

Celtics Looking to Stay Whole

Boston’s recent stretch has been marked by ups and downs, winning four of their last six games but dropping three of the previous four before that. The return of Jaylen Brown against Oklahoma City provided a boost after he missed two games due to a shoulder strain. However, the team faced another injury scare when Jayson Tatum collided with Thunder forward Jalen Williams and fell into the stands in the third quarter.

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Tatum, who leads the Celtics in scoring (28.1 points per game), rebounds (9.4), and assists (5.5), downplayed the incident: “My arm is just bruised. I kind of went forearm-first into a chair. It’s bruised, scraped up, but I’ll be alright.”

Kristaps Porzingis, Boston’s key offseason acquisition, returned to the lineup on Friday after missing four games due to an ankle injury sustained on Christmas Day. Porzingis, who averages 6.5 rebounds and provides a strong defensive presence, is still finding his rhythm.

“Still haven’t been in my best shape this season yet,” Porzingis said. “But I’m happy to be healthy and working my way toward feeling better and better each game.”

Nuggets on an Offensive Tear

Denver enters the matchup with one of the league’s most potent offenses, averaging 124.5 points over their past 10 games. The Nuggets are led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is putting together another stellar season. Jokic ranks second in the NBA in scoring (31.5 points per game) and assists (9.7), and third in rebounds (13.0), making him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Jamal Murray (19.4 points per game) and Michael Porter Jr. (19.1) provide strong scoring support, but the Nuggets have been without Aaron Gordon for six consecutive games due to a right calf strain. Despite his absence, Denver has managed to win six of their last 10 games.

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Russell Westbrook has stepped into the starting lineup in Gordon’s absence, contributing with his trademark intensity. Over the past six games, Westbrook has recorded a triple-double and a double-double, narrowly missing another in Denver’s 122-111 overtime win against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Key Matchups

• Porzingis vs. Jokic: Porzingis will be tasked with defending Jokic, a tall order given the reigning MVP’s ability to dominate both inside and out.
• Brown and Tatum vs. Denver’s Perimeter Defense: The Celtics’ star duo must continue to shoulder the scoring load while navigating a Denver defense designed to limit transition opportunities.

What’s at Stake

For the Celtics, a win would cap a strong road trip and provide momentum as they head back home. Meanwhile, the Nuggets aim to maintain their offensive firepower and improve their record as they await Aaron Gordon’s return. Both teams will look to make a statement in a potential preview of a deep postseason clash.