Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, and Christian Braun scored 24 for Denver, which has lost three of its last five games.

The Portland Trail Blazers continue to try to make an unlikely push to the playoffs. They have won five of their last six games as they try to take over the tenth spot in the Western Conference standings.

The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions. It was one of the easier championships won in recent years because of how quickly they mowed through their opponents. Jayson Tatum is the leader of the team.

Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, and Christian Braun scored 24 for Denver, which has lost three of its last five games.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives toward the basket past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, front left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 2,

The Nuggets almost survived to Jokic’s return. They were down 88-84. The last minute without him was a near-death sentence, though. Sam Hauser knocked down a transition drive-and-kick 3-pointer to bring the house down with 8:11 to go, highlighting a 6-0 burst.

What can the Nuggets expect in the playoffs? Opposing defenses will dare non-shooters to shoot, yes, but offenses will target perceived weaknesses on Denver’s defensive end, too.

The Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics are two teams who have never faced off in the NBA playoffs, but it's a matchup fans have been clamoring to see. Until the day comes when the two teams can face off in the NBA Finals,

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Boston Celtics guard Jaylen ...

The NBA’s two most stories franchises add a new installment to their rivalry on Saturday, March 8 when the Boston Celtics take on the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden in Boston.

The Celtics were able to avoid blowing a 20-point lead for the second straight game due to some clutch shot-making.

The two most recent NBA champions are playing well enough to reach the finals, and as we saw Sunday, it would be a compelling matchup.