Event of the Day: Denver Nuggets versus Boston Celtics
Our event of the day is the NBA fixture between the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics at the Pepsi Center. Both teams come into this inter-conference game having enjoyed early-season success. The Nuggets sit in 2nd place in the Western Conference and are riding a four-game win streak. Meanwhile, the Celtics sit in 4th in the Eastern Conference, where they are looking to prove themselves to be the true successor to the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference dominance. Be sure you don’t miss this game between two young, exciting teams hungry for success this season. The Nuggets came up one win short last season. They came into the final game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 46-35 record and riding a six-game win streak. The Timberwolves also had a 46-35 record and so, the game would decide the 8th seed playoff spot. The Nuggets found themselves down 62-54 at halftime but rallied to tie the game at 101-101 at the end of regulation. However, Minnesota would outscore them 11-5 in overtime to take the game, and the playoff spot. The Nuggets have undoubtedly bounced back from this heartbreak. Behind talent like centre Nikola Jokić, point guard Monté Morris and shooting guard Gary Harris, the Nuggets have stormed to an 8-1 record. This record includes a 100-98 win over the Golden State Warriors, the only defeat the Warriors have suffered so far this season. They have put up an average of 111.4 points per game and are yet to have a sub 100-point game. Furthermore, they have held their opponents to under 100 points in five of their first nine games. The Nuggets are hungry for success and eager to end a five-year playoff drought.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are fighting for contention in an Eastern Conference full of good teams. Following the loss of LeBron, the Cleveland Cavaliers have tanked, leaving a power vacuum at the apex of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors, Bucks, Pacers and Celtics are all fighting for the top spots while teams like the 76ers are also in the mix. Boston has a finely tuned mix of veterans and youngsters. Players like Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving return from their injury-stricken 2017-18 seasons to join the young talent that pushed the Celtics into the playoffs last season. Players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier add a youthful vigour to a team that could feasibly end the Celtic’s decade-long championship drought. They may be 6-3 through nine games but are no means the lesser team tonight. It should be an outstanding game at the Pepsi Center.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NFL, where the Dallas Cowboys face the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Stadium. The Titans have suffered as late, having jumped out to a 3-1 season record before losing three consecutive games to come into this game against the Cowboys with a 3-4 record. The Cowboys come off their bye week with a 3-4 record, not having recorded consecutive wins or losses all season. This game is sure to be exciting as both teams look to regain control of their seasons. Elsewhere, in the NHL, the New York Islanders look to cement their lead in the Metropolitan Division as the face the Montreal Canadiens at the Barclays Center. In La Liga, Espanyol look to continue their early-season success as they face Athletic Bilbao at RCDE Stadium.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NBA