What a treat we have on Thursday\u2019s six-game slate. We may be witnessing an NBA Finals preview when the Thunder and Pistons face off, while two other contenders go head-to-head as the Celtics travel to Denver.<\/p>\n
The Celtics continue to go from strength to strength, winning nine of their last ten games while Jayson Tatum edges closer to a return.<\/p>\n
Denver, meanwhile, has hit a lull with injuries disrupting their rotation. The Nuggets have won just three of their last nine games, and with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson still sidelined, it won\u2019t get any easier \u2014 even at home.<\/p>\n
Boston has been excellent on the road this season, owning the second-best road cover rate in the NBA at 66.7%. They\u2019ve been even better as road underdogs, covering seven of ten games in that role.<\/p>\n
Although they enter on no rest, they\u2019ve still covered at a 66.7% clip in back-to-back situations this season.<\/p>\n
Denver is navigating a tough stretch without Gordon and Watson, their primary defensive wings. The Nuggets have covered just twice in their last nine home games and have won only three of their last eight overall. This is a tough matchup against an elite Boston side.<\/p>\n
Brown had a brief dip on the glass with just two rebounds against the Knicks and four against the Bulls, but he\u2019s responded strongly.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s well rested after sitting out Wednesday\u2019s game against Phoenix. In his last two appearances, Brown grabbed eight rebounds against the Lakers and 15 against the Warriors.<\/p>\n
Across his last 23 games, Brown is averaging eight rebounds and has cleared 6+ boards in 20 of them. He had seven rebounds in the previous meeting with Denver \u2014 expect a similar output here.<\/p>\n
It was a choice between Johnson and Christian Braun for this leg, but Johnson gets the nod.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s averaging 12 points per game without Gordon and Watson this season, hitting double figures in five of eight games in that scenario.<\/p>\n
The matchup is more favourable for Johnson than Braun, and his minutes have increased, logging 35+ in two of the last three games.<\/p>\n