It was just one game in January, but it felt like so much more.
Only time will tell whether the Celtics and Nuggets meet in the NBA Finals, but if Friday’s matchup is any indication, a series in June could be one for the ages.
Boston and Denver traded blows at TD Garden before the Nuggets escaped with a 102-100 win. Jayson Tatum had a chance in the final seconds but missed an off-balance fadeaway, sealing Boston’s fate.
Derrick White paced the Celtics with 24, Tatum added 22 and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic fueled the Nuggets with 35 and 34, respectively.