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In a potential NBA Finals preview, the Nuggets beat the Celtics on Thursday night, defeating their Eastern Conference foes 115-109.

Nikola Jokic helped give Denver a four-point lead with 19.1 seconds left, with a ridiculous alley-oop pᴀss to teammate Aaron Gordon for him to dunk home.

Jokic posted a 32-point triple-double in the win, with 11 rebounds and ᴀssists apiece as well.

For the Celtics, who still have the NBA’s best record at 48-14, it’s their second consecutive loss after blowing a 22-point lead to the Cavs on Tuesday.

Boston trailed by 11 with under five minutes left to play but cut into the lead, as back-to-back Jrue Holiday three-pointers made the score 111-109.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, knocks over Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis

Jokic continues to have an innate sense of where Aaron Gordon is at all times. Gives Denver a 4pt lead with under 20 secs left pic.twitter.com/Hbq4e2PUdH

— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) March 8, 2024

Jayson Tatum was held to just 15 points by the Nuggets as the Celtics lost on Thursday

But Jayson Tatum was unable to convert a wide open corner three with 45 seconds left, and that was the closest Boston would get. 

Tatum finished the game with 15 points and eight ᴀssists, while Jaylen Brown led Boston in scoring with 41.

Kristaps Porzingis also chipped in with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Jokic was aided by 19 points from Jamal Murray and 16 from Gordon.

Denver (43-20) is third in the Western Conference and is now just one game back of the first-place Timberwolves.