BOSTON — All the tiresome cliches about midway point measuring-stick games and potential championship previews might actually be true about this one.
In a heavyweight bout between the defending NBA champions and the team with the best record in the league, the Nuggets knocked off the Celtics 102-100 on Friday night at TD Garden.
The Celtics are unbeaten at home no more. The Nuggets (29-14) were the first in 21 attempts to escape TD Garden this season.
Protecting a one-point lead in the last minute after a Jayson Tatum dunk, the Nuggets survived with their toughest, clutchest defense of the season.