The Denver Nuggets suffered a disappointing defeat against the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi.

January 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) battles for possession against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15), guard Jamal Murray (27), and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) in the closing moments of the game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports. The Denver Nuggets concluded their overseas trip in Abu Dhabi with a second consecutive matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Nuggets opted to rest several key players, including Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, allowing Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to play only one half. This decision contributed to a third-quarter performance that was not only disappointing in terms of basketball standards but also lacking in entertainment value. In the second half, Boston surged ahead, driven by the efforts of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Sam Hauser, and maintained their advantage throughout. The Nuggets returned home without a victory, suffering a defeat to Boston with a score of 130-104. The game commenced with both teams receiving contributions from their guards, as Murray netted seven of Denver’s initial nine points while Derrick White accounted for a significant portion of Boston's early scoring. In the absence of Gordon and Porter, Denver's starting lineup faced challenges in defensive rebounding but managed to keep pace with the Celtics as Brown began to establish his presence. However, the Nuggets' offense became stagnant, allowing Boston to gain a slight lead, prompting Michael Malone to call a timeout with just over four minutes remaining in the quarter. The first two substitutes for Denver were Hunter Tyson and Zeke Nnaji, while Tatum spearheaded Boston's offensive efforts to maintain their lead. To conclude the first quarter, Malone deployed a lineup lacking a traditional point guard, resulting in a somewhat hesitant offensive display. At the end of the first quarter, Boston led 34-29. Jalen Pickett and Strawther joined the reserves to initiate the second quarter. Dario Saric capitalized on favorable matchups offensively, yet the Celtics continued to hold a narrow lead. As Denver's defense began to falter, the Celtics started hitting three-pointers, leading Malone to call a timeout with Boston's lead extending to nine points. Jokic and Murray...

Jokic and Murray began the second half on the bench, concluding their participation in Abu Dhabi, while Malone opted for a lineup featuring Strawther, Braun, Tyson, Vlatko Cancar, and Saric. The Celtics retained most of their starting players, with Payton Pritchard replacing the sidelined Jrue Holiday, as the third quarter commenced. Denver appeared significantly outmatched, and Boston quickly extended their lead to double digits. This advantage grew to 18 points by the time Strawther executed a commendable and-1 drive to the basket, although he failed to convert the subsequent free throw. The Nuggets managed to score only eight points in the first half of the quarter, prompting a timeout when Boston's lead reached twenty-three. Following the timeout, Pickett attempted a three-pointer that missed, Denver committed a turnover, and Boston capitalized with an easy basket, leading Malone to call another timeout in frustration. This did not alter the course of the game; the lead continued to expand, and Denver remained stuck at 68 points for several minutes, while the Celtics reached 101 with four and a half minutes remaining. Trey Alexander entered the game and finally contributed some points. Malone began to clear the bench, bringing Spencer Jones and Jahmir Young onto the court alongside Alexander. The third quarter concluded with Denver trailing 76-109. Both teams fielded their reserve players to start the fourth quarter, with Denver featuring Strawther, Tyson, and Zeke Nnaji alongside Young and Alexander. The fourth quarter did not start well for them, leading Malone to use his final timeout with approximately ten minutes left in the game. Strawther and Young began to attack, providing Nuggets fans with some moments of excitement. They led the bench unit and managed to keep pace with the Celtics' reserves, with Young particularly standing out against the NBA's second unit. Alexander assisted P.J. Hall for an impressive transition alley-oop towards the end of the quarter, and while the offense showed improvement, the defense remained suspect, preventing the reserves from significantly reducing Boston's substantial lead established in the third quarter. The game concluded with the Nuggets suffering a considerable defeat, 130-104.

Best matchup: Nikola Jokic vs. Jaylen Brown..... Although Nikola Jokic and Jaylen Brown did not engage in many one-on-one encounters during the game, both players exhibited the qualities of superstars on championship-caliber teams. Jokic appears to be in peak form at this moment; in fact, if it were not for the distinctiveness of his playing style and his focus on ensuring his teammates are comfortable, there would be little justification for him to participate further in the preseason. It is evident that he does not require additional practice. Similarly, Brown seems poised to embark on the most successful season of his career. He has evolved into a well-rounded player, pairing his exceptional defensive skills with an offensive repertoire that features precise long-range shooting and the capability to drive to the basket effortlessly. While there were numerous subpar moments in the game, both Brown and Jokic remained unaffected by them.

The primary observation I have made is that Jalen Pickett's time with the team has come to an end. It should not come as a surprise that the dismal performance in the third quarter coincided with Pickett's time as the point guard. Regrettably, there is no justification for retaining him on the roster any longer. The Nuggets are obligated to honor his contract regardless of his status on the team, and there is substantial evidence indicating that he lacks the capability to make a significant impact against NBA rotation players, as well as against those who are likely to spend their seasons in the G-League. In contrast, Alexander and Young, while not yet prepared for substantial rotation minutes, have demonstrated the ability to score and exhibit dynamism against reserve players. Alexander is currently on a two-way contract, while Young holds only an exhibit 10 contract. I would prefer to see Alexander secured with a full NBA contract and Young occupying the two-way position, rather than perpetuating this sunk cost fallacy with Pickett.