The Boston Celtics secured a much-needed victory over the streaking Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Beantown team, led by All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, spearheaded an impressive 40-8 scoring run to close the fourth quarter.
It was really a feel-good game for the Celtics, who have been up and down this season.
The @celtics close the game on a 40-8 run!
Jayson Tatum: 28 PTS (14 in 4Q)
Jaylen Brown: 20 PTS, 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/Hs5MiZAjqo— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2021
Jayson Tatum put up 28 points and 10 rebounds–including 14 in the final quarter–while Jaylen Brown had 20 points and two blocks. The Celtics, who were down by as much as 14 points at one point in the game, just closed out better than the Nuggets did.
Tatum drops 14 points the 4th Q as the @celtics close the game on a 40-8 scoring run! 🤯@jaytatum0: 28 PTS, 10 REB pic.twitter.com/LRaGoer6aL
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2021
Marcus Smart also put up an all-around game of 14 points, four rebounds and five assists.




Jokic wants no part of the #Nuggets huddle during the timeout. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/BqygoDI2Wf
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) April 11, 2021
The Nuggets, who were without their closer Jamal Murray, got contributions from MVP candidate Nikola Jokic (17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds) and Michael Porter Jr. (22 points and 11 rebounds). This is the first loss for Denver since acquiring Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline.
The Celtics have another IMPRESSIVE win led by one of the Best Duos in the game!!! JB took over the 3rd and JT took over the 4th but overall they got it done collectively. Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 11, 2021
The good news for the Celtics is that this win boosts their place in the Eastern Conference standings. They moved up to the sixth seed with the win, though the Miami Heat can surpass them once again if they win their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday
Tatum, Brown and the Celtics need to keep up their winning momentum in their next few games. Their Western Conference trip includes the Blazers, rival Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.