The Denver Nuggets struggled taking care off the ball and committed 21 turnovers which led to 22 unanswered points for the Boston Celtics who snapped Denver’s 2-game winning streak after a 108-102 win. Boston has now won seven in a row.
“The whole night was turnovers,” Michael Malone said. “You’re not going to beat anybody on the road with 21 turnovers for 22 points. And they dominated the glass. We held them 39% from the field, 27 from three but we gave up 28 transition points, a lot of that off our turnovers. We gave up the second chance opportunities and just careless fouls.”
Nikola Jokic finished the night with 23 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists but committed a team high nine turnovers, six of which came in the first quarter.
“He knows he can’t have nine turnovers,” Malone said of Jokic. “Yes, they’re [the Celtics] a great defensive team but I can’t sell the 21 turnovers that we had were because they were a great defensive team. There were definitely possessions where we just weren’t focused, weren’t sharp, we just weren’t on point the way we needed to be. That was probably the most disappointing thing was the turnovers all night long they never stopped.”
The Celtics had 18 offensive rebounds which led to 20 second chance points. Boston also went to the free throw line 30 times to Denver’s 18.
Bones Hyland was inserted into the starting role in place of Monte Morris who is in concussion protocol. He only finished with the 10 points in 18 minutes of play. Malone decided to give Facu Campazzo more playing time with over 29 minutes off the bench for 14 points. He said he wishes he gave Hyland some more playing time especially down the stretch.
“I should’ve gotten Bones back in the game,” Malone said. “As I was walking off the floor that was my immediate regret. Nothing against Facu. Facu played well. But just valuable game minutes for Bones, let him be out there but also got us to make a shot.”
Campazzo had lost his role of leading the second unit to Hyland after dealing with shooting struggles and turnovers. Despite not playing though, Hyland mentioned how much of a mentor Campazzo has been for him and giving him much needed tips on how to successfully execute the role of point guard. Whether he’s playing or not, Campazzo enjoys being a vocal member of the team and helping whoever he can.
“If I’m not playing I try to help and be a helpful guy in any situation,” Campazzo said. “If I have to be on the bench clapping as hard as I can I will do it. And if I have to guard Bones in practice, I try to be there for him, he’s young and he has a lot of things to learn.”
Campazzo stays focused on the things he can control and makes sure he stays ready for whenever his number is called.
“In the NBA you have to be ready,” Campazzo said. “I don’t take it personal. We are playing very good and I just was happy for the team for getting wins. I knew sooner or later I was going to be out there and I wanted to be ready. I can control that. Be ready. Be happy. Be happy for my teammates. Be happy for me. I just like to put my energy in what I can control.”
Jokic took full responsibility for this loss and also said teammate Will Barton didn’t do enough to win. He took accountability and said they didn’t play like leaders on Friday night.
“I think me and Will Barton played really bad,” Jokic said. “We didn’t have any chemistry. At the end of the day, we’re supposed to be the leaders and we didn’t play very well.”
Jokic also addressed his turnovers and said he has to do a better job with that moving forward. Barton had 13 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field and 2 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Jayson Tatum put up 24 points on 8-19 shooting with six rebounds and five assists while Marcus Smart added 22 points and seven assists. Derrick White, who was just traded at Thursday’s trade deadline from the Spurs, had a solid debut in Boston with 15 points.
The Nuggets head to Toronto next for their second night of a back-to-back and then play the Magic at home on Monday. They have a 30-25 record and still remain in sixth place in the West.
