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‘Do we have a chance? Yeah. I think we’re one of many teams that do,’ says Boston coach Joe Mazzulla as the Celtics put on a dominant preseason show over the Nuggets in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Just two preseason games in, there’s growing belief that the Boston Celtics could repeat at the top.
“I think we have a good chance… I think we’re headed to the right direction. I think we got off to a good start in training camp,” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
“We approached this trip (to Abu Dhabi) the right way and we have an open mindset that we have to get better,” he added.
“Do we have a chance? Yeah. I think we’re one of many teams that do. But it depends on how we grow as a team, how we compete, and how we take care of ourselves in the process.”
The Celtics swept the two-game exhibition series against the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets, walloping them by 26 points, 130-126, in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games at the Etihad Arena on Sunday, October 6 (Monday, October 7, Manila time).
The win came two days after the Celtics leaned on their reserves to hack out a 107-103 escape over the Nuggets.
This time, with star wing duo of Jaylen Brown (21 points), and Jayson Tatum (20 points) leading the way, the Celtics took advantage of an undermanned Nuggets squad.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray took charge, but Denver had to do without key players Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter, Jr., and Russell Westbrook
Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, meanwhile, rode the bench for the Celtics.
WATCH | Jayson Tatum on tweaking his jumper during the offseason. #NBAinAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/HyMZWuXLbv
— ℙ????? ?????? ????? (@philipptionary) October 6, 2024
Boston led by as many as 35 points, pulling away in the second half as the Celtics outscored the Nuggets, 42-16, in the key third period to lead, 109-76, heading to the fourth.
“That third quarter was a far cry of who we want to be, so we did a better job of rebounding tonight,” Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said, referring to their 42-38 edge on the boards.
“It was the same as Game 1, we had a lot of turnovers. It compromises your transition defense, the biggest issue tonight… we have to find some guys on the bench that could play at a high level,” he continued.
WATCH | Jamal Murray even keeled on the team’s 0-2 start in the NBA preseason. #NBAinAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/faYddIBnVk
— ℙ????? ?????? ????? (@philipptionary) October 6, 2024
Denver reserve Julian Strawther made the most out of his opportunity to start, dropping 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while Hunter Tyson scored 8 and hauled in 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets know there’s work to do after back-to-back losses to the defending champions, knowing they have the same goal to go all the way to the top.
“We have some new additions to the team, but there’s the same aspirations of winning a championship. The goal is the same, but the path is going to be different,” Murray pointed out.
“We just have to figure out how we want to play and what works for us.”
After a weeklong stay in the Middle East, both teams return to the United States with more preseason games ahead.
Boston will face the revamped Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors twice, while Denver will go against Western Conference powerhouse squads Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who eliminated the Nuggets in Game 7 of the 2024 semifinals.
The Celtics will raise their 18th banner to open the season on October 21, while the Nuggets will clash against the Thunder on October 23. – Rappler.com
