The Boston Celtics take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Boston, ranked 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 26-10 record, will try to close out their road trip on a high note. Denver, 4th in the Western Conference at 20-14, looks to build momentum as they continue to navigate injuries to key players.
The last meeting between these two teams in October saw Boston dominate, securing a 130-104 victory. Both teams have played well recently, with Denver averaging over 124 points in their last 10 games. Boston’s strong start to the road trip has been boosted by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown returning to full health.
Celtics Preview – Road Warriors Aim to Finish Strong
Boston has won four of their last six games and sits near the top of the Eastern Conference. Jayson Tatum continues to lead the team with averages of 28.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Jaylen Brown, recently back from a shoulder injury, adds 24.3 points per game, while Kristaps Porzingis has provided a solid interior presence, returning from an ankle injury to average 19 points and 6.5 rebounds in limited action.
The Celtics rank 4th in the league in points per game (118.5) and excel at three-point shooting, leading the NBA with 18.4 made threes per game. However, their defensive struggles on the road were evident in their recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Boston will need to improve their defensive focus to handle Denver’s high-powered offense.
Porzingis’ matchup with Nikola Jokic will be critical. With the team’s depth tested due to injuries earlier in the season, Boston has relied heavily on its stars. Strong contributions from Derrick White and Jrue Holiday could be the difference in this tough road game.
Nuggets Preview – Jokic Leads the Charge
Denver’s offense has been electric, averaging 124.5 points over their last 10 games. Nikola Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season, posting 31.5 points, 13 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. continue to provide strong scoring support, averaging 19.4 and 19.1 points, respectively.
The Nuggets have navigated injuries to key players, including Aaron Gordon, who remains out with a calf strain. Russell Westbrook has stepped up in Gordon’s absence, recording a triple-double and several strong performances. Denver’s reliance on Jokic to create offense has been evident, with the team ranking 1st in assists per game (30.0).
Defensively, Denver has struggled, ranking 24th in points allowed per game. To compete with Boston, they’ll need to limit three-point opportunities and focus on containing Tatum and Brown. Home-court advantage at Ball Arena has been a strength for the Nuggets, where they hold a 10-8 record this season.
Betting Prediction
The Celtics are 5.5-point favorites, with a total set at 237.5 points. Boston’s offensive firepower and Denver’s defensive weaknesses suggest a high-scoring affair. However, Denver’s strong recent play at home and Jokic’s dominance make them a dangerous underdog. Expect a close game with plenty of scoring, but Boston’s superior depth and three-point shooting could give them the edge.
The total has a good chance to go over, given both teams’ offensive capabilities. Denver might cover the spread in what could be a tightly contested matchup.
Pick: Denver +5.5, Over 237.5
