The Boston Celtics wrapped up their post-All-Star-break road trip with a solid 3-1 record, despite a tough 103-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets. While a clean sweep would have been ideal, the trip highlighted the Celtics’ defensive progress-a focus emphasized by Jaylen Brown.
A key question heading into the game was how Boston would handle the challenge of defending Nikola Jokic. The answer?
Pretty well, actually. Jokic, a three-time MVP, managed 30 points, but he had to work for them, hitting only 11 of his 28 shots.
Boston’s defense forced him to take 13 shots from beyond the arc, a significant uptick from his usual 4.8 attempts per game. They effectively pressured him with double teams, limiting his playmaking to just six assists, well below his average of 10.4.
The Celtics’ defense has quietly become a force to be reckoned with, especially in February. They’ve allowed the fewest points per game this month, holding opponents to an average of 96.7 points. Since the All-Star break, their defensive rating of 102.7 ranks second only to Denver.
Holding the Jokic-led Nuggets to 104 points was impressive, even with Aaron Gordon out and Jamal Murray leaving early due to illness. For most of the game, Boston’s defense kept Denver in check, allowing just 66 points in the first 34 minutes. However, a series of missed shots and turnovers opened the door for Denver’s decisive 21-3 run.
“It was a combination of a couple of missed shots, a couple of live-ball turnovers, and then they got out in transition,” explained Joe Mazzulla. “It was an 11-0 run. It came through our missed shots, missed rim reads, or turnovers.”
Despite the defensive effort, Boston’s offense faltered, particularly in the second half. On the second night of a back-to-back, tired legs led to missed opportunities, with the Celtics scoring only 36 points on 11-39 shooting.
Still, the team isn’t dwelling on the loss. “One game doesn’t make or break us,” Jaylen Brown said.
“Tonight, we could’ve played better... We don’t hang our head, though.
We move onto the next.”
Derrick White echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the challenges of the back-to-back but expressing confidence in the team’s position. “I think we’re in a really good spot,” he noted.
For Mazzulla’s Celtics, every game is a chance to learn and improve. Brown emphasized the importance of converting opportunities and minimizing extra-chance points for opponents. “I thought we competed,” he reflected.
Despite the 19-point loss, the Celtics remain second in the Eastern Conference, having won eight of their last 10 games. Their defensive growth is evident, and there’s no reason for fans or players to overreact.
“It would’ve been great to finish out strong on the road trip with a win. But 3-1 on a West Coast swing, coming straight out of All-Star break is not half-bad,” Brown concluded.
“We just gotta continue to get better little by little. I like where we’re at as a group.”