The Boston Celtics their seventh straight game in classic Celtic heart wrenching style in a triple overtime thriller against the Denver Nuggets. The captain and the truth Paul Pierce led the charge for Boston with a triple double, scoring 27 points while recording 14 assists and 14 rebounds. Coach George Karl and Denver Nuggets were one of the hottest teams in the league going into Sundays triple overtime classic, as they were riding high with their own nine game winning streak. Boston needed some clutch shots to survive the Nuggets and preserve their own winning streak. Jeff Green hit a corner three point shot to tie the game at 99 in regulation, and Paul Pierce had a clutch three to tie the game at 107 which sent the Celtics to the third and deciding overtime.
Celtics center Kevin Garnett and Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried were huge contributors in this triple overtime classic. Garnett had his struggles in regulation missing 14 of his first 20 shots. The big ticket ended up with the last laugh, hitting three of the four shots he took in overtime and ending up with 20 points and 18 rebounds. Jason Terry pitched in with a season high 26 points off of the bench for Boston. Kenneth Faried was truly a headache for Garnett and the Celtics. The Manimal had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets. His stats may not jump out at you, but Faried caused havoc for Boston throughout the game with his athleticism and relentlessness. However, the Manimal did miss several free throws which cost Denver in overtime. Former North Carolina Tar Heel Ty Lawson was incredible for Denver. Lawson had 29 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, and hit the game tying runner with .8 seconds left to send the game into overtime. The Nuggets snapped a 9 game winning streak, which was the longest winning streak the Denver Nuggets have had since 2005. The streaking Celtics have two more until the all-star break and continue to win without their all-star point guard Rajon Rondo. Boston takes on the Bobcats on Monday, and host the Bulls on Wednesday. Boston will get a nice rest with the all-star break, but go on the road for a five game west coast trip after the break. The Celtics first game after the break will be in Denver for a rematch against the Nuggets.
-Joe Passarelli
-Joe Passarelli
