By Tiffany Williams –
On Friday afternoon, the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi witnessed an exciting preseason matchup between the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, and the 2023 NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets. The Celtics emerged victorious with a 107-103 win over the Nuggets in a thrilling game one of the NBA’s Global Games.
Payton Pritchard delivered an outstanding performance, leading the Celtics with 21 points in just 24 minutes of play. Pritchard also showcased his all-around game, contributing with one offensive rebound, three defensive rebounds, and six assists.
Jayson Tatum, a key player for the Celtics, added 12 points in 19 minutes on the court. Tatum displayed his versatility, securing three offensive rebounds, three defensive rebounds, and dishing out five assists. He shot 4-11 from the field, 3-7 from three-point range, and 1-2 from the free-throw line.
Derrick White also made his presence felt, contributing nine points in 19 minutes, along with one defensive rebound, two steals, and one block. His stat line included shooting 3-9 from the field, 1-4 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 2-2 from the free-throw line.
Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Drew Peterson, Hauser, and Luke Konet also made valuable contributions to the Celtics’ performance.
Overall, the Celtics capitalized on their opportunities, scoring 18 second-chance points, 12 fast break points, and 30 points in the paint, showcasing their dynamic and versatile playing style.
The highly-anticipated rematch between the Celtics and the Nuggets is scheduled for Sunday at 10 AM at the Etihad Arena. Following this game, the Celtics will embark on a journey back to Boston and prepare to host the 76ers at TD Garden on Saturday, October 12.
Sports Insider Daily 