Boston plays Denver, seeks 9th straight home win
Denver Nuggets (14-5, second in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (15-5, second in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Friday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Boston will try to keep its eight-game home win streak intact when the Celtics face Denver.
The Celtics are 8-0 in home games. Boston averages 46.6 rebounds per game and is 6-3 when opponents grab more rebounds.
The Nuggets are 6-2 on the road. Denver has a 6-1 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Nuggets won 96-92 in the last matchup on Nov. 22. Jamal Murray led Denver with 22 points, and Jaylen Brown led Boston with 22 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jayson Tatum is shooting 40.6 percent and averaging 21 points. Brown is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers and 19.8 points over the last 10 games for Boston.
Will Barton leads the Nuggets averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers while scoring 14.9 points per game and shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. Paul Millsap is shooting 51.9 percent and has averaged 15.1 points over the last 10 games for Denver.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 110.9 points, 47.8 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting.
Celtics: 6-4, averaging 105.5 points, 46.8 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 10 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.9 points on 43.8 percent shooting.
Celtics Injuries: Marcus Smart: day to day (abdomen), Gordon Hayward: out (left hand).
Nuggets Injuries: None listed.