Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone saw his team slump to a 107-103 loss to the Boston Celtics to open preseason at the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024. Despite the loss, coach Malone was impressed by how three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic played in his first game of the season, praising his impact all over the game.
“He’s a great player. You marvel at his greatness. He can beat you with his scoring, he can beat you with his playmaking, he can beat you with his rebounding, and I also think he had some really good defensive possessions tonight. I think both he and Jamal had busy offseasons playing in the Olympics, so we want to be smart with his minutes. Overall, I think Nikola did some really good things out there.”
Jokic put up 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals on 5-7 shooting from the field. He ended the game as a +4 in the 103-107 loss for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets couldn’t keep up with the Celtics’ bench production, especially their shooting. Boston attempted 61 three-point shots and made 20 of them.
The 61 attempts would’ve ranked as the most three-point attempts in team history if it was a regular season game. The Nuggets were more efficient from three, but their 32 attempts on 12 makes pale in comparison to what the Celtics did in a four-point win.
Joe Mazzulla Was Pleased With His Team’s Energy And Performance
The Celtics got off to a shaky start, falling to a double-digit deficit by the second quarter. As bench players such as Payton Prichard got more of an opportunity, the Celtics quickly turned the game around and took a lead in the fourth quarter. Prichard’s 21 points led all players on the court, with coach Joe Mazzulla pleased with how his team played.
“First game, we played with really good intentions from the beginning of the game to the end on some of the things we’ve been emphasizing. Because of Denver’s defense, they test your communication, they test every level of your defense. We got into some situations we can learn from, but I really like the competitive nature. But because of our depth and the players that we have, we always feel like we’re in a game no matter who’s in there, so it’s a credit to those guys.”
Jayson Tatum put up 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 19 minutes of action while reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown put up eight points in the same time. Bench players such as Prichard and fourth-quarter hero JD Davidson (seven points, two steals) ensured Boston picked up their first win of the preseason.
The teams will match up again on Sunday, October 6.
Read more from my coverage for Fadeaway World at the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games – Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets.
Adam Silver And Mark Tatum On The Growth Of Basketball Internationally And More NBA Global Games
EXCLUSIVE: Lonnie Walker Opens Up On Celtics’ Expectation And Potential G League Minutes
Michael Malone Gets Real On Nuggets Starting Lineup, KAT Trade, And Training Camp
Russell Westbrook And Al Horford Give Derrick Rose His Flowers After Retirement Announcement
Jamal Murray And Russell Westbrook Break Down How Their Relationship Has Evolved
Joe Mazzulla Dismisses Fatigue Concerns Around The Celtics Ahead Of 24-25 NBA Season
Jayson Tatum Excited To Face The Challenge Of Knicks And 76ers After Major Summer Moves
Nikola Jokic Gets Honest About Heavy Summer Workload Heading Into 24-25 Season
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