Nuggets Shut Down Celtics 94-85

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups led the Denver Nuggets with 18 points each, and Melo also grabbed 13 boards, as the Nuggets came into the “New Garden” Friday night and shut down the Boston Celtics 94-85. It was only the second loss of the season for the Celtics, their first at home in the still young NBA campaign. Denver held Boston to shooting 39.7% (29-73) from the floor for the game.

The “Green Team” started the game off productively, as they would jump to a 29-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Celtics shooting woes got the team out of sync during the second quarter, and the Nuggets would have a 48-42 advantage at the half. Boston would trail by as many as 15 points midway through the third, but would become the aggressor late in the quarter, and had a 65-64 lead as the two teams entered the final quarter. Denver started out the final period on a 14-5 run, and never looked back as they would win the game handily.

Anthony scored 18 points, 13 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal in the Denver victory. Chauncey Billups also put in 18 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, Kenyon Martin added 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 block. Nene contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, J.R. Smith came off the bench with 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Linas Kleiza also added 10 points, from the bench, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal.

Ray Allen led all players as he scored a game high 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. Paul Pierce put in 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, Kevin Garnett added 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists. Denver improved to 5-5 after the win , while Boston is now 8-2.

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