Jamal Murray praised his teammates’ defensive effort after Denver’s 114-110 victory over Boston at TD Garden on Wednesday, ending the Celtics’ five-game winning streak.
“Felt like my teammates were hooping,” Murray said. “I was just finding the ball and trying to keep pressure on them, picking my spots and playing my game.”
Murray credited Denver’s fourth-quarter surge to collective effort. “Zeke Nnaji was playing amazing defense, Peyton as well, Pickett came in and helped take the load off me, CB too. We were really connected on defense,” he said.
The Nuggets’ guard stressed the importance of limiting Boston’s top scorers. “Jaylen had 50 last game, so we didn’t give him any space to operate freely. In the fourth, we did a good job scoring him when he got in the paint and made it tough for Derrick White and everyone else,” Murray said.
Murray reflected on the road trip challenges. “Solid. We’ve lost a player each game. It’s not easy with rotations, different cities, and off-the-court issues. All in all, it’s solid,” he said.
He emphasized defensive coordination against Boston’s shooters. “They shoot a lot of threes and play well together. We had to load up, not give them any driving or pull-up threes, and make them do something else,” Murray said.
Murray also acknowledged the Celtics’ offensive talent. “Derrick shoots better than a lot of people think. Payton Pritchard is an amazing shooter, Jaylen Brown, Hauser—they all rebound hard and play fast,” he said.
The point guard highlighted Denver’s team chemistry. “Creating for other guys and, if it doesn’t work, creating again. Balancing aggression with getting my teammates involved—that’s what it’s about,” Murray said.
Denver rallied in the fourth with a 14-0 run, fueled by nine points from Peyton Watson and eight from Zeke Nnaji. Jamal Murray contributed 22 points and 17 assists, controlling the floor and finding teammates in critical moments.
The Nuggets, missing Nikola Jokic, overcame a three-point deficit midway through the fourth to take a 101-90 lead. Boston’s late push cut it to three, but Denver held on.
Both teams return to action Friday night, with Denver hosting the Atlanta Hawks and Boston facing the Toronto Raptors.
