BOSTON (Interstat) — Jamal Murray recorded 22 points and 17 assists, and the Denver Nuggets used a decisive fourth-quarter run to beat the Boston Celtics 114-110 on Wednesday night at TD Garden. In a game featuring 26 lead changes and nine ties, the Nuggets erased a three-point deficit midway through the final period with a 14-0 surge to seize control. Peyton Watson scored a team-high 30 points for Denver, which played without Nikola Jokic. Boston’s Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 33 points. The Celtics, also missing Jayson Tatum, cut a 12-point deficit to three in the final seconds but could not complete the comeback. Denver improved to 25-12, while Boston fell to 23-13.

BOSTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by the absence of its two brightest stars, the Denver Nuggets authored a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 114-110 on Wednesday night at TD Garden before a crowd of 19,156. With Denver’s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Boston All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum sidelined, the contest evolved into a gritty, back-and-forth affair featuring 26 lead changes and nine ties. It was ultimately decided by a decisive 14-0 run by the Nuggets in the final period, flipping a three-point deficit into an insurmountable 11-point lead. Denver guard Jamal Murray, assuming the mantle of primary creator in Jokic’s stead, orchestrated the victory with a masterful performance. The Kitchener, Canada native finished with 22 points and a season-high 17 assists, controlling the tempo and repeatedly finding open teammates. His backcourt partner, Peyton Watson, provided the explosive scoring punch, pouring in a game-high 30 points on efficient shooting. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 33 points and seven rebounds, controlled long stretches of the game. They raced to a 35-31 lead after a high-octane first quarter and maintained a narrow edge for much of the night. Boston’s interior presence was anchored by Neemias Queta, who hauled in a remarkable 20 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Despite being outrebounded 21-12 on the offensive end and attempting 12 fewer free throws, the Nuggets leveraged superior shot-making and ball security to prevail. Denver connected on 20 of 44 attempts from three-point range, a 45.5 percent clip, while Boston made 15 of 38. The Nuggets also committed only seven turnovers, forcing 14 from the Celtics which led to a 23-12 advantage in points off turnovers. The game’s pivotal sequence began with just over seven minutes remaining and Denver trailing 90-87. Sparked by their defense, the Nuggets embarked on their game-sealing run. A steal by Murray led to a Zeke Nnaji layup and foul. Christian Braun then buried a three-pointer off a Murray assist, followed by a Watson layup. Murray capped the burst with a mid-range jumper, giving Denver a 101-90 lead with 4:49 to play. Boston mounted a frantic late charge, cutting the deficit to 111-108 with under 30 seconds left after a Brown three-pointer and a series of free throws. But Murray calmly sank two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining to seal the victory, as the Celtics’ final heave fell short. Beyond Murray and Watson, Denver received key contributions from Aaron Gordon with 12 points and six rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. with 14 points off the bench. For Boston, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each scored 17 points, while Anfernee Simons added 15. The victory improved Denver’s record to 25-12, while Boston fell to 23-13. The outcome defied pregame expectations, as statistical models gave the Celtics a nearly 70 percent chance to win as 9.5-point favorites. The Nuggets, concluding a five-game road trip with a 2-3 record, will return home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. The Celtics will look to rebound when they host the Toronto Raptors, also on Friday.

Preview: Nuggets, Celtics Clash in Potential Finals Preview BOSTON (Interstat) — Two of the NBA’s top-tier contenders will meet Wednesday night when the Denver Nuggets visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in a marquee interconference showdown. The matchup features two teams separated by just a half-game in the standings. The visiting Nuggets (23-12) arrive after a 115-127 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. The Celtics (22-12) enter riding a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. All eyes will be on a duel of explosive guards. Denver’s Jamal Murray is playing at an elite level, averaging 26.6 points and 8.3 assists over his last 10 games. He is coming off a 27-point, 16-assist performance against Brooklyn. However, the Nuggets have lost six of their last 10, highlighting a need for more consistent support around their star guard. Boston counters with Jaylen Brown, who is in the midst of a scorching stretch. Brown is averaging 33.4 points over his last 10 games and erupted for a season-high 50 points in Saturday’s win over the Clippers. His scoring surge has been vital for a Celtics team that has won seven of its last 10. The game pits Denver’s high-octane offense, which has scored at least 126 points in six of its last 10 outings, against a Celtics squad that has topped 140 points twice in its last five games. Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities recently, suggesting a potential shootout. Denver’s recent road struggles—they are 3-7 in their last 10 games away from home—will be tested against a Celtics team that is 14-5 at TD Garden this season. The outcome could hinge on which supporting cast steps up, as both Murray and Brown have carried heavy offensive loads. For Denver, Peyton Watson (23 points vs. Brooklyn) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (26 points) provided scoring punch last time out. Boston’s Derrick White (29 points, 7 assists vs. Clippers) and Jordan Walsh (13 points, 13 rebounds) have offered key complementary production. This contest serves as a potential NBA Finals preview and a critical benchmark for both clubs as they navigate a packed January schedule. The Nuggets continue a six-game road trip, while the Celtics open a brief two-game homestand. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST Wednesday.