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Denver Nuggets: 2 players who must step up vs. Celtics

By Grayson Moore

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets Gary Harris and Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets Gary Harris and Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Denver Nuggets are off to their best start to a season since their first year in the league.

The Denver Nuggets have not won 8 out their 9 first games since their inaugural season in the league, 1976-77. That team had many Nuggets legends and Hall of Famers, including Bobby Jones, Dan Issel, and David Thompson.

They ended up finishing 50-32, which was good enough for 1st place in the Mid-West division. The 2018-19 Denver Nuggets will hope to continue on their way to a finish as good as that, and it starts Monday against the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are coming off a tough last-second loss to the Indiana Pacers, but they are still a very dangerous team. They are the best defensive team in the league this season, ranking 1st in opponent points per game and team DRtg. However, they are one of the worst offensive teams in the league. They are scoring just 103.9 points per game, the 3rd fewest in the league. For comparison, the Nuggets are averaging 111.4 points per game, the 14th most in the league.

If Mike Malone and the Nuggets want to win this game, they will need to take advantage of the Celtics’ shortcomings. They will need to shut them down from 3-point range, as Boston has the 6th most three-pointers in the league this season.

It’s a good sign that Denver has allowed the 7th fewest 3-point makes in the NBA, but they will need to continue that against the otherwise offensively struggling Celtics.

In a game that could go down to the wire, the Nuggets will need some stand out performances to win. Here are 2 players that need to step up against the Celtics.

(Note: All stats via Basketball-Reference unless otherwise noted.)

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