For only the third time this season, the Nuggets held an opponent under 100 points. They held the number two offense in the league to a season-low 84 points. It's enough to make you do a double-take at the box score. It's a confidence-inspiring win for a team that has been reeling at the defensive end.
One game after suffering a flat-footed clutch loss to a depleted Warriors team and allowing 128 points, the Nuggets held the Celtics to the lowest defensive point total of the season. It was the statement they needed to make to show everyone that they still have the defensive merit to win a championship.
And the timing couldn't have been better. The Nuggets can build on this going into Oklahoma City and use it as a launching point for the rest of the way when they welcome back Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. Both players have been key pieces of Denver's defense, but there's a noticeable drop-off in performance when Gordon is off the floor.
Denver's defense improves from nearly the worst in the league without Gordon to a top-five team with him. Head coach David Adelman hopes to have both players back in three more games, when the Nuggets have 20 left on the schedule.
The Nuggets got physical, led by a 'game-wrecker'
The Nuggets wanted to make physical play a focus after the crunch time loss to the Warriors. And that they did, led by Bruce Brown. Brown was described by Julian Strawther as a "game-wrecker," and he certainly didn't disappoint. Brown's pressure at the top of the key and on the perimeter kept Boston's offense out of step all night.
The Celtics committed 14 turnovers and only shot 35% from the floor. It was a valiant effort for the Nuggets, who have been allowing 115.7 points per game this year, now 17th in the NBA after the dominant performance against the Celtics.
The Nuggets shot poorly and still won thanks to the defense
It's been a while since the Nuggets shot poorly and could still fall back on the defensive effort. And it was a glorious sight to see for Nuggets fans.
The Nuggets shot just 42% from the field and 35% from three, but a 19-point win clearly shows just how well the defense played. The Nuggets were even missing Jamal Murray, who only played 7 minutes due to an illness. Newly acquired KJ Simpson was thrust into the rotation in Murray's place, and he did well, chipping in 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists while committing 0 turnovers in 14 minutes.
Seeing the defense play so well gives hope that the Nuggets can be a dominant force come playoff time, which is crucial for a shooting team when they have an off night.