Nuggets-Celtics Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Feb 10 2013 1:02AM

Losing Rajon Rondo hasn't yet posed a problem for the Boston Celtics.

That may change against the hottest team in the NBA - the Denver Nuggets.

The Celtics attempt to win a seventh game in a row without their All-Star point guard Sunday night and prevent the Nuggets from a 10th straight victory.

Just over two weeks ago, Boston (26-23) appeared to be headed in the wrong direction, losing a season-high six in a row with Rondo in the lineup. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final game of that skid and the Celtics' season seemed to be on the verge of falling apart.

However, instead of falling further back in the playoff race, Boston has regrouped to win six in a row without its offensive catalyst, the NBA leader in assists and triple doubles and one of the best rebounding guards in the league.

In the six games since losing Rondo, the Celtics have outscored opponents by an average of 102.8-92.8 and hit 49.1 percent of their shots.

"Our guys just think they're good," coach Doc Rivers said. "We're playing selfless and free."

Boston posted its most lopsided win of the season Thursday with a 116-95 rout of the Lakers.

"We're in a rhythm. We're moving the ball," said Kevin Garnett, who is averaging 18.4 points in the last seven games and became the 16th player in NBA history to reach the 25,000-point mark.

There has been some good fortune involved in the Celtics' streak. Five of the six wins have come at home and four were against teams with records of 23-27 or worse. They also faced the Lakers without Pau Gasol and the Clippers without Chris Paul.

The Nuggets (33-18) figure to present a stiff challenge for Boston. They have won 15 of 17 and nine in a row for their longest streak since a 10-game run from March 30-April 15, 2005.

Although Denver has the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, no Nuggets were selected for next Sunday's All-Star Game in Houston, a fact that coach George Karl is quick to point out.

"We're going to try and shock the world and become the first team to win a championship without an All-Star," he said.

Denver is averaging 114.6 points during its streak, but only two of those victories have come on the road. The Nuggets are 11-15 away from home this season and have lost 18 of their last 21 in Boston.

Depth was again key for Denver in Saturday's 111-103 win at Cleveland. Eight of nine Nuggets scored in double figures and they outscored the Cavaliers 62-32 in the paint.

"There are only about 10 true superstars in the NBA, I think, but I believe Andre Iguodala, Ty Lawson, Andre Miller, and Kenneth Faried are in the next 40 players," Karl said.

Lawson is averaging 19.1 points while hitting 15 of 31 from 3-point range over the past 10 games, but he made just 3 of 11 from the field to finish with 11 points against the Cavaliers.

He had 24 points in Denver's 105-89 loss in its most recent trip to Boston on Dec. 8, 2010.

Danilo Gallinari wasn't with the Nuggets then, but he had 20 points in a 98-91 victory over the Celtics on March 17. He's averaging 21.3 over the past six games.

Paul Pierce, who had 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting against the Lakers, is averaging 27.8 points in 13 games against Denver at TD Garden.

Celtics outlast Nuggets in 3 OTs with 118-114 win

Posted Feb 10 2013 10:47PM

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics relied on their veterans to help them win the matchup of the NBA's two hottest teams.

Paul Pierce had 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists and the Celtics extended their winning streak to seven games with a 118-114 triple overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

Boston's win also ended Denver's winning streak at nine games.

Pierce made a tying 3-pointer in the second overtime to make it 107-107 and extend the game.

"I mean that's what great players do. I would love to tell you I had something to do with it," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I was sitting just like the fans saying, "Please, Lord, Paul make a shot."

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds while Jason Terry scored a season-high 26 points off the bench.

"It seems like Garnett has a huge heart and wanted to win the game and he made some big time shots," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "His range has improved and it's about time he get that respect."

Pierce, Garnett and Terry are the only active Celtics with championship rings since point guard Rajon Rondo's season-ending knee injury. The Celtics remain unbeaten in Rondo's absence.

Terry hit a 3-pointer with 1:33 remaining in the third overtime to put the Celtics ahead 116-113.

Danilo Gallinari, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, hit a free throw, but Denver would not get any closer.

"Hard to believe these guys don't have an all-star," Garnett said. "That baffles me ... Gallinari, Lawson ... they have deserving guys."

Terry, who had missed five consecutive 3-point shots in the first two overtimes, also made the defensive play of the game when he stole the ball from Andre Miller with 35 seconds remaining.

Denver had one last gasp as Miller missed a 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds remaining before Terry dribbled the ball up the court and made a layup at the buzzer to finish the scoring.

"We're not into moral victories, but it was one of those games," Miller said. "It was a fun game and I'm sure everybody was tired."

Denver's Ty Lawson had 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds and hit several key shots, including a running bank shot to send the game into overtime tied at 92-92.

Gallinari struggled from the field as he shot 7 of 20 for the Nuggets. Kenneth Faried had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Denver.

Garnett was 3 of 4 from the field in overtime after missing 14 of his previous 20 shots.

With Denver leading 105-104 in the second overtime, Lawson hit another jumper to put the Nuggets up 107-104 with 18.9 seconds remaining.

But Pierce hit a 3-pointer with Miller in his face with 5 seconds left to tie the game at 107-107.

Gallinari then had an open lane to the basket as he was overplayed by Garnett, but missed his shot as time ran out.

Jeff Green's 3-pointer tied the game at 99-99 with 23.8 seconds remaining in the first overtime, but Lawson's long 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer.

"Lot of people still doubt us," Green said. Can't come into games thinking we have to impress people."

Denver failed to hit its last shot in all three overtimes with chances to win the game in the first two and to tie it in the third.

Green's jumper put Boston ahead 92-90 with 47.9 seconds remaining in regulation. Miller then missed consecutive shots on the ensuing Denver possessions, but Faried was fouled with 5.4 seconds remaining.

Faried missed both free throws, but Celtics guard Avery Bradley knocked the ball out of bounds. Lawson then scored with 0.8 seconds remaining.

Gallinari, who averages 20 points per game to lead Denver, was held to three points in the first half on 1-of-6 shooting as the Nuggets trailed 50-46 at the break.

Notes: Pierce and Lawson each played 54 minutes respectively. ... JaVale McGee had 16 rebounds for Denver. ... Boston is 13-2 in its past 15 home games against Denver, but the teams are 10-10 head-to-head in the past 20. ... Boston matches up again on the road with Denver on Feb. 19. ... This had been the Nuggets' longest winning streak since March 30 to April 15, 2005. ... Andre Iguodala left the game for Denver in the third quarter with a strain and did not return.

Notebook: Celtics 118, Nuggets 114 (3OT)

Brian Robb, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:26 PM - Updated Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:26 PM

THE FACTS: Paul Pierce finished with his second triple-double of the past two weeks, as the Boston Celtics fought their way past the Denver Nuggets with a 118-114 win in a triple overtime thriller. The victory was Boston's seventh straight win overall, and also put an end to Denver's league-high nine-game winning streak in what was a faceoff between the NBA's two hottest teams. Pierce nearly tied a career-high by playing 54 minutes, as he posted 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. Jason Terry had a season-high 26 points off the bench, including the game-winner 3-pointer in triple overtime for the hosts. Ty Lawson had a game-high 29 points for Denver in the setback.

QUOTABLE: "You know, it was a clear case of two teams that have been playing great; one had won nine [in a row], one had won six [in a row], and neither team wanted to lose the game."

-- Boston coach Doc Rivers

THE STAT: The Celtics managed to escape with the win despite shooting just 35.2 percent from the field over the second half and the game's three overtimes combined.

TURNING POINT: Denver had an opportunity to tie the game in the final minute of the third overtime, as Andre Miller posted up with good position against Terry on the right block. Terry, not known for his defense, managed to steal the ball from Denver's reserve guard, helping Boston hold on for the four-point victory.

QUOTABLE II: "This was a great game to be a part of. It was a great win against a quality ball club, not to say the other teams weren't quality teams we played, but you know, this is the type of win that can give us confidence to move forward."

-- Pierce

HOT: Lawson -- The fourth-year guard carried Denver's offense for the majority of the night, scoring 21 of his 29 points in the second half, while also managing to dish nine assists. Over his past five games, Lawson is averaging 19.8 points and 9.2 assists.

NOT: Danilo Gallinari -- Before finding his shooting stroke during the overtime periods, Denver's small forward failed to get his offense going against a stingy Celtics defense. Gallinari was just 3-for-11 during regulation, and shot below 42 percent for the first time in his last 10 games.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Pierce -- Boston's captain posted his eighth triple-double of his career for Boston during the regular season. The Celtics are 8-0 over those eight contests.

QUOTABLE III: "Very few times when you lose do you think it's probably a good thing, and I thought we played as well as we can play with the circumstances. We played with a lot of heart, a lot of guts, we took a lot of punches and fought back every time."

-- Denver coach George Karl

NOTABLE: Andre Iguodala left the game in the third quarter after a right cervical sprain. He did not return. ... Kevin Garnett finished with 20 points and a season-high 18 rebounds over 47 minutes. Those 47 minutes were the most ever for Garnett in a Celtics uniform. ... This was the ninth overtime game for the Celtics this season, which ties a franchise record for most overtime games in a season. ... The Celtics are 13-2 in their last 15 home games against Denver. The two teams match up again in just nine days in each team's first game after the All-Star Break. ... JaVale McGee had a season-high 16 rebounds for Denver.

UP NEXT: For the Nuggets, Tuesday @ Toronto, Wednesday @ Brooklyn, Tuesday vs. Boston. For the Celtics, Monday @ Charlotte, Wednesday vs. Chicago, Tuesday @ Denver.

• Nuggets: Miller, Stone
• Celtics: Sullinger

• Nuggets: Faried
• Celtics: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 9

• Arena: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #32 Eddie F. Rush, #50 Olandis Poole
• Attendance: 18624
• Duration: 3:04