Fans are gearing up for a high-profile clash at TD Garden as the Boston Celtics prepare to host the Denver Nuggets tonight, January 7, 2026, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The stage is set for a showdown between two of the NBA’s most dynamic teams, but both squads are facing their own set of challenges as the regular season grinds on. The Celtics, riding a wave of recent success, are looking to extend their three-game home winning streak, while the Nuggets hope to overcome a slew of injuries and keep their momentum alive after a nail-biting win in Philadelphia.
Entering tonight’s matchup, the Celtics boast a 23-12 record and sit atop the Atlantic Division. Their recent form has been impressive, with Boston going 8-2 in their last ten games and covering the spread in seven of those contests. The Celtics have also won their last two head-to-head meetings with Denver, giving them a psychological edge as they take to their home court once again. Notably, Boston has covered the spread in four consecutive games and has a 2-0 record against the spread in their last two matchups with the Nuggets.
On the other side, the Denver Nuggets come in with a 24-12 record, good for second in the Northwest Division. Denver is no stranger to adversity, but this week’s injury report reads like a who’s who of their core rotation. The team is confirmed to be without Jonas Valanciunas (calf), Nikola Jokic (knee), and Cameron Johnson (knee), while Jamal Murray (ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), and Christian Braun (ankle) have all been upgraded from questionable to probable. The absence of Jokic, the reigning MVP and Denver’s engine, is a massive blow, but the probable returns of Murray and Gordon offer a glimmer of hope for Nuggets fans.
The betting markets reflect the injury situation, with Boston installed as a 9 to 9.5-point favorite across major sportsbooks. The over/under for total points has been set between 230.5 and 232.5, hinting at a high-scoring affair. The moneyline favors the Celtics at -355 to -380, while the Nuggets are listed as +285 to +300 underdogs. According to FOX Sports and DraftKings, the Celtics have been favored by 9 points or more nine times this season, going 5-4 against the spread in those games.
Tonight’s contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with additional coverage on NBCS-BOS, ALT, and KTVD. For those preferring to stream, Fubo and live boxscore updates on FOX Sports will keep fans in the loop.
Turning to the key players, Boston’s Jaylen Brown continues to shine, averaging 29.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game. Derrick White, a consistent contributor on both ends, is putting up 18.4 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per night while shooting 34% from three-point range. White has hit the over on his points prop in four of his last six appearances, including a 29-point outburst against the Clippers on January 3. As noted by several analysts, White’s role has grown significantly, especially with Jayson Tatum missing time this season. "Derrick White continues to prove his worth to the Boston Celtics," one expert observed, highlighting his recent scoring surge.
Payton Pritchard is another Celtic to watch, averaging a career-high 16.9 points per game and 2.7 made three-pointers per home contest. He’s been particularly effective at TD Garden, connecting on 35% of his attempts from beyond the arc. Anfernee Simons adds 13.5 points per contest, shooting nearly 40% from downtown, while Neemias Queta has provided efficient interior scoring and rebounding.
For the Nuggets, the spotlight tonight could fall on Jamal Murray, who is averaging 25.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. If he’s able to suit up, projections have him scoring around 24.2 points—a crucial boost given Denver’s depleted lineup. Peyton Watson has seized his opportunity for increased minutes, averaging 12.2 points per game and delivering 20+ points in every game this month, including a 24-point performance against the 76ers on January 5. Aaron Gordon, probable to play, has chipped in 18.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun round out Denver’s main contributors, with Hardaway averaging 13.5 points and Braun at 10.7 points per contest. The Nuggets’ offense has thrived this season, leading the league with 124.4 points per game, but their defense has lagged, allowing 118.3 points per contest—ranked 22nd overall.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulated tonight’s matchup 10,000 times, projects a high-scoring game with several players expected to eclipse their season averages. The model predicts Jaylen Brown to score 30.1 points and Jamal Murray to be one of four Nuggets players with at least 11.9 points, should he play. The model’s against-the-spread pick has hit nearly 70% of the time, lending extra intrigue for bettors and fans alike.
Recent betting trends support the expectation of a shootout. The total has gone over in four of the last seven Celtics-Nuggets meetings, and the Nuggets have hit the over in 66.7% of their games this season. Boston and Denver combine to average nearly 10 points more per game than the listed over/under, and both teams have a history of high-scoring affairs when facing each other.
Defensively, the Celtics remain one of the league’s stingiest units, allowing just 110.5 points per game (second in the NBA), while their offense ranks 12th at 117.8 points per contest. Boston’s ability to clamp down on the perimeter and protect the rim—anchored by White’s 1.5 blocks per game (ninth in the NBA)—could prove decisive if Denver’s shooters struggle to find their rhythm.
While the Celtics have thrived as favorites, the Nuggets have proven resilient as underdogs, winning four of their seven games outright when not favored. Denver’s road record is also impressive at 14-7, but with Jokic sidelined, the challenge tonight is steep.
As tip-off approaches, all eyes are on how both teams will adapt to their respective lineups. Will Derrick White continue his scoring tear and help Boston extend its home streak? Can Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson carry the shorthanded Nuggets to another upset? One thing’s for sure: with playoff implications looming and stars on both sides eager to make their mark, this matchup promises fireworks at TD Garden.
With the action set to unfold in Boston, fans can expect a battle of depth, strategy, and grit. Whether it’s the Celtics capitalizing on their home advantage or the Nuggets rallying behind their next-man-up mentality, tonight’s game is sure to keep everyone guessing until the final buzzer.
