Celtics and Nuggets face off tonight in potential Finals' preview

Graphic via @BenjayCreates

The Boston Celtics make their lone visit to the Mile High City to face the defending NBA Champions Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets stand one game outside of first place in the West, while the Celtics hold a commanding eight game lead in the East. It's not abnormal for NBA defending champions to have a bit of a post championship honeymoon lapse the following regular season, so I have the Nuggets as more of a favorite to make it out of the Western Conference than the Thunder or Wolves who are tied for first place and only lead by the aformentioned one game.

If the Celtics can hold onto the NBA's best record these final 21 games, they would earn home court advantage throughout the playoffs. That would still mean three games played in Denver in the Finals, if Jokic and the Nuggets advance through the West. Unless your confident the Celtics will be flawless at home in the Finals, they will need to win in Denver.

Way too much was made of the Celtics loss to the Cavs on Tuesday and even more will be made following tonight's game, win or lose. No a win tonight for the Celtics doesn't mean the Celtics would conceivably handle the Nuggets easily in the NBA Finals, nor does a loss tonight mean the Celtics won't capture Banner 18 this season.

With that said, if you looked at the one game this season that should mean the most, it would be the Celtics lone visit to the defending champions' home, especially when you take into account the altitude advantage. A win for the C's tonight would be a nice confidence boost for Joe Mazzulla, Celtics players, and their fans.

My guess is the Celtics' loss to the Cavs on Tuesday will have them extra focused tonight. Tip-off is at 10pm tonight.

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