NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024: 10 key observations from Nuggets-Celtics back-to-back games

The Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets played two games in the Middle East for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 and here are some key observations from both teams after their first two preseason games.

Celtics vs Nuggets: Battle of the Champs

In a matchup between the past two NBA champions, the Celtics (2024 winners) prevailed twice over the Nuggets (2023 winners). The first one was a thriller, 107-103, while the second one was a blowout, 130-104.

Despite it still being the preseason, the Celtics showed their ability to win in both kinds of games, whether it was close or blowout. They proved their caliber against a fellow NBA champion that was hypothetically a matchup to watch out for, especially with the two teams being from different conferences.

The Celtics are really, really good – they did not miss a beat 

The Celtics are back and are looking more dangerous than ever – at least from what they’ve shown in these two games. They are really, really good and they mean business this year. This seems impossible after coming off a championship, but the Celtics appear to be hungrier for a chip than they’ve ever been and they’re looking to prove everyone wrong after a somewhat question-mark season last year, with all the injuries their opponents have endured. The Celtics ought to prove that the championship win was not a fluke, and this starts in the preseason by showing their usual dominant selves. 

No championship hangover for these Celtics

The Celtics mean business, and when I say business, that’s Jaylen Brown gesturing a too-small sign on Jamal Murray after scoring a tough bucket inside over him.

Jaylen Brown is back better than ever, and after that intense underwater basketball workouts and at just 28 years old, the Finals MVP is firmly in his prime and should play his best basketball ahead of him.

Jayson Tatum comes in with an edge after the Olympics run where he did not play twice, and gunning for the Finals MVP he did not win.

Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are Boston’s ever-reliable do-it-all guys and they’re gonna do everything that’s asked of them.

The whole Boston core, with big men Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, along with crucial bench pieces Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, just appear to be ready for this title defense.

Mazzulla ball is in full effect – even if it’s just the preseason

The Celtics under Joe Mazzulla make it to a point to shoot as many open threes as they could, and in Game 1 vs the Nuggets, they shot a whopping 61 attempts, making 20 of them; and in Game 2, shot 47 attempts with 18 makes – a respectable 38 percent clip.

This style of play has brought them a championship and should be rightfully used as such until teams find a way to counter Boston’s offense. This is the kind of game that Mazzulla wants to play for the Celtics and they have the roster and the men to do it – a loaded roster of shooters and floor spacers.

The Celtics still have room for improvement – and that’s scary

“Defensively, just got to be a little more tighter on that end,” Derrick White said post-game. “With some of our communication and the things that we’re doing, and I think that comes with time. Offensively, just continue to make the right read and make the right play.”

This should be bad news for the rest of the NBA as the defending champions themselves feel they still have something to fix and improve as the season goes on – a never-ending learning and lessons that can only be taught through game experiences.

Nikola Jokic is still really good

This should be another MVP type of season is on the horizon for the 3-time MVP as he has shown no signs of slowing down and is getting even better and smarter with each game that he plays.

In two games vs Boston, the Joker averaged over 20 points and 8 rebounds in just a little over 18 minutes of playing time. The Celtics haven’t found a solution against Jokic inside and that resonates with the entire NBA as well. 

Jokic’s MVP campaign this season could come from him having to carry this roster more with some key departures from the team. He will have more responsibility on the offensive end and Jokic should just be dominant and assert himself to lead Denver to the upper echelon of the West. 

Life after Bruce Brown and KCP for Denver

The Nuggets have now lost two key figures in their championship run in back-to-back offseasons, and if this is any indication, the past champs that lost their key role players struggled in the seasons to come. Brown and KCP’s skillset should be replaceable but their chemistry with the team especially with MVP Jokic has been vital and Denver could take a step back on that end without those two.

Following their departures, the Nuggets have yet to replace them and will rely on young Christian Braun to replicate their success, or from a veteran like Vlatko Cancar who just recently returned from injury.

Denver’s bench is suspect

Denver has no one off the bench who is legitimately an offensive threat or someone who can create his shot, so Michael Malone should probably stagger Jokic and Murray’s minutes more, and lean on Michael Porter Jr for more offensive creation. This was exposed against the Celtics as the Nuggets struggled to have some offensive flow within their second units. Westbrook looked to be the answer for that problem but with his age he could not be tasked alone anymore to carry the offensive load for the bench.

Unless Denver makes a big FA signing or a splash before the trade deadline, expect their bench to struggle at times and they could be relying on their starters more often than not to supply all the scoring.

Westbrook’s role

Newcomer Russell Westbrook has looked good at times for Denver in these two games. He was pushing the pace, driving and drawing the defense, and kicking it out to shooters which was a good sign for Denver as he figured out to be their backup point guard behind Jamal Murray, or even play alongside him at times to slot Murray at the 2. Westbrook at this point of his career does not need to do much on the offensive end, especially with an all-timer like Jokic in his prime. He could just provide energy off the bench for quality minutes and should be a big piece in Denver’s rotation.

Jamal Murray’s health

Perhaps the biggest factor out of them all, Jamal Murray’s health is the biggest concern for Denver and should be their main priority heading into the season. Murray did not look right in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Canada’s Olympic run, and he was not able to find his groove yet in two games vs Boston.

With teams scheming against Jokic every single night, Murray has to come in and set the tone for the Nuggets as their primary secondary option and draw the defense away from the MVP.