DENVER – Brad Stevens said before Sunday’s game in Denver that the Celtics cannot rely on their scoring to win games.
That may be true in the long run, but for one more day, their offense punched out a win.
The Celtics logged a 121-101 victory over the Nuggets while slicing through Denver’s defense for 48 minutes. Boston scored 121 points on 48.5 percent shooting, marking the fourth time in its last five games that it scored at least 111 and shot at least 46.4 percent. The C’s scored at least 27 points during each of the four quarters.
“Guys are playing with confidence,” Isaiah Thomas said of the offense, which he fueled with game highs of 22 points and 12 assists. “Guys are in the right spots. We’re making the right play, for the most part. Guys are knocking down shots and making it easy on everybody else.”
Thomas dished out 10 assists during the first half alone, falling just three shy of his career high for an entire game. Evan Turner and Avery Bradley, meanwhile, paced the scoring column with 13 and 11 points, respectively, during the opening half.
Boston’s offense continued to chug during the second half, when it dropped 57 points on 51.2 percent shooting. The C’s played with an aggressive mindset and pushed Denver onto its heels. That aggression was key to scoring 36 points in the paint over the final two quarters.
“Everybody’s contributing,” said Marcus Smart, who was one of six Celtics to score in double-figures on the afternoon. “We’re trying to move the ball more and everybody’s touching it and we’re trying to go quickly.”
The Celtics’ offensive prowess is beginning to outshine its efforts at the defensive end. The defense, however, must be given some credit, as Boston forced Denver into 24 turnovers that led to 29 points.
“I thought the turnovers and the activity – the hand activity – was way better than Friday night,” Stevens said. “I think we shot 97 shots today. So anytime you get a chance to turn steals into points or convert and have more opportunities at the rim, you have a better shot at winning.”
Sunday’s defensive performance certainly was not perfect. Denver still broke into triple-digits, it made 46.6 percent of its shots, and it attempted 34 free throws in the game. However, the Celtics exited the Pepsi Center feeling as if they moved in the right direction at that end of the court compared to Friday’s effort in Salt Lake City.
“I think we came out more connected,” Turner said after finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. “I think we were talking more.”
That’s good news for the Celtics. After all, defense is what wins championships.
At the moment, however, everyone is talking about Boston’s offense, which has ascended to fourth in the NBA in scoring average.
