The Celtics hunted Jamal Murray on Sunday. Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Murray should almost take it as a sign of disrespect

What can the Nuggets expect in the playoffs? Opposing defenses will dare non-shooters to shoot, yes, but offenses will target perceived weaknesses on Denver’s defensive end, too.

The Celtics controlled the game from the start and this time closed the game out against a potential contender.

The two most recent NBA champions are playing well enough to reach the finals, and as we saw Sunday, it would be a compelling matchup.

The Boston Celtics avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season on Sunday, thanks in large part to a vintage performance by Al Horford.

Payton Pritchard scored a career-high 43 points and Derrick White tossed in a career-high 41 to lead the short-handed Boston Celtics to a 128-118 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Jaylen Brown scored 22 points and Derek White hit a floater from the foul line with less than a minute left to help the Boston Celtics recover after blowing most of a 20-point first-half lead and beat the Denver Nuggets 110-103.

Two days after surrendering big lead to Cavaliers, Boston makes clutch plays in final minutes to hold off Denver.

The Nuggets almost survived to Jokic’s return. They were down 88-84. The last minute without him was a near-death sentence, though. Sam Hauser knocked down a transition drive-and-kick 3-pointer to bring the house down with 8:11 to go, highlighting a 6-0 burst.

The Celtics avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season Sunday with a gritty 110-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots at the basket in front of Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Boston.