DENVER (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 29 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 25 and the Boston Celtics held off the depleted Denver Nuggets 118-106 as three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic sat out because of an illness.
Porzingis also had 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points.
The Celtics attempted 35 3-pointers, which was well below their season average of 50.17. Instead, they went down low and outscored the Nuggets by a 60-46 margin in the paint.
Russell Westbrook had 26 points to lead Denver. Michael Porter Jr. added 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Nuggets dropped to 10-7 at home. They were 33-8 last season.
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