The league MVP Nikola Jokic finally has his best teammates back and the Denver Nuggets look like a contender with their full lineup ready. How good the Nuggets really are, we will see when they visit the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on November 9, 2022.
Boston Celtics Stats & Form
The Boston Celtics are third in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 record. They started the season well winning the opening three games but then failed to the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jayson Tatum made it to the All-NBA first team last season and is showing that he may be in the MVP conversation this season.
The 24-year-old is averaging 30.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 40.8% shooting from deep. Jaylen Brown is also on All-Star level averaging 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
The Celtics are hurt in the paint as Danilo Gallinari tore the ACL in his left knee and starting center Robert Williams III is struggling with a back injury. Veteran Blake Griffin was brought in to fill in that gap but he is still not on the expected level.
Boston Celtics News
Robert Williams III and Danilo Gallinari are out for the Celtics.
Denver Nuggets Stats & Form
The Denver Nuggets had many ups and down to start the season. First, they were blown out by the Utah Jazz losing by 20 but then went to the Bay Area and defeated the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
The Nuggets are sixth in the Western Conference with a 4-3 record. They had a couple of great nights but are also the only team that has lost to the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
The reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic is playing great averaging 21 points, 11.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists but the good news for the Nuggets is the return of starting point guard Jamal Murray. He missed the entire last season and with him back, the Nuggets have a chance to become a real contender.
Michael Porter Jr. is another player who has returned from injury and will probably be the second-best scoring option for the Nuggets.
Denver Nuggets News
Bones Hyland, Ish Smith and Collin Gillespie are out for the Nuggets
Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Head-to-Head Stats
The Boston Celtics have won the last five games against the Denver Nuggets with four of those coming with a double-digit margin.
Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tip:
It’s been almost three years since the Nuggets defeated the Celtics for the last time. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back, the Nuggets look the best in recent years and this will be a very interesting game to watch. The Boston Celtics were the best defensive team in the league last year which helped them reach the NBA Finals but still, there is no defense that can stop the MVP Nikola Jokic. The Serbian center plays the best against the top teams in the league and the Celtics will be the next in line. Anyway, the Celtics are a very tough team at home, they switch well and are aggressive both on and off the ball. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combine for 55 points per game and that is a little too much for the Nuggets’ defense. This will not be a high-scoring game and in that scenario, the Celtics will be the team to prevail.
Expert betting tip: Boston Celtics to win