March 21st, 2022– The Celtics and Nuggets squared off in Denver, this being the Celtics’ third game of a four-game road trip. Nikola Jokic and his squad are fighting desperately to avoid the play-in tournament while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look to take their squads up the ranks.
Game Recap
Going into this one, Denver was looking to avoid a three-game losing streak at home. Boston was looking to do the opposite and get a third straight road victory on this trip alone. We had a good one until the second quarter when Boston went on a 28-5 run to close the quarter. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard knocked down three 3-pointers each in this run along with a highlight half-court lob from Marcus Smart to Robert Williams III. Nothing is more dangerous than a team having fun and the Celtics do it often these days.
Robert Williams with the long distance lob to Marcus Smart ✈️pic.twitter.com/LOhoPcmRNM
— Celtics Nation (@CelticsNationCP) March 21, 2022
Celtics and Nuggets opened the second half in different directions. Ime Udoka went with the normal choice and went with the starters. The Nuggets did not do that. Coach Mike Malone must’ve needed an extra few minutes with the reigning MVP and company because the Nuggets bench started the second half. In a game where Jayson Tatum was getting the MVP chants in Jokic’s house and the Nuggets are getting run off the floor with 24 minutes of play left, Malone has a point. Basically, an embarrassing performance for the Denver Nuggets as they fall into the 7th seed, the top spot of the play-in tournament.
Celtics Notes
As for Boston, they continue being the best team in the east since the new year. Tatum and Brown both score 30 again and are the first Celtics duo to do it back-to-back since Larry Bird and Kevin Mchale in 1988. That seems like a good thing so we’ll say it is. Additionally, the Jay’s also lead the league in such performances. Also, Payton Pritchard was all buckets tonight as well, shooting 5/5 on threes and helping spark the second-quarter run. With the defense continuing to be stout, Nikola Jokic found himself in a rare off-night. One of those nights you get to see the bench warmers go get some run. Great win for the Celtics as they get some extra rest with a game tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Payton Pritchard tonight:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 21, 2022
17 points
6-6 FGM
5-5 3PM
Straight buckets. pic.twitter.com/OCYJDHLSE1
MVP Talk
One game does not defy a person’s season, who they are, and what is to come for the future; however, the MVP is about narratives. Nikola Jokic coming off two home losses in a row, back to the play-in, and the hottest team in the east coming into your building needs to step up. That did not happen. 23 points on 23 shots and a team-low -21 +/-. Jayson Tatum stealing MVP chants in your city and making Celtics fans take over your house. The narrative shown here is that Jokic gets embarrassed with the stakes as high as it can for a regular-season game.
Jayson Tatum probably will not win MVP. It would be wrong to say he shouldn’t get a vote. The Superstar has been averaging 32.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists since the all-star break. There was a point where Boston found themselves outside the play-in at the eleventh seed. They now sit in the four-seed, tied with the 76ers in games behind, with a chance to climb higher. Tatum also passed Ray Allen on the Celtics’ all-time three-pointers made list. Tatum is a worthy MVP candidate.
Tell me, what narrative sounds like an MVP narrative? I think you know what I’ll say.
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