Celtics vs Nuggets Prediction 8 January 2026

At the moment, the Celtics are riding a four-game winning streak. They recently defeated Chicago with a score of 115-101. Equally impressive was their result against the Clippers (146-115). In that matchup, Mazzulla's squad demonstrated their offensive prowess. While they have been the slowest team in terms of pace over the season, their perimeter game has improved, leading to bursts of high-speed basketball.

Fortunately for the home team's fans, only Jayson Tatum remains sidelined. However, his absence has become something they're accustomed to. Jaylen Brown has stepped up as the star player. White, Pritchard, and the young Simons have also delivered some impressive performances. It's reasonable to expect that against a depleted Denver side, the team will put on a collectively effective display, especially on their home court.

Denver continue to play without their two centers. While the absence of Jonas Valanciunas is merely a size issue, Nikola Jokic's injury is a systemic disaster. The entire offense had to be restructured. Additionally, Jamal Murray hasn't been seen on the court. The coaching staff might resort to using a half-reserve lineup until the Serbian returns. Yet, this didn't stop them from defeating Philadelphia (125-124) recently. However, they won't be underestimated twice in a row.

Throughout the season, the Nuggets have always been regarded as a team that excels offensively. Defense, however, has taken a back seat, with some flaws considered acceptable trade-offs. Now, these issues are becoming significantly apparent. They lack size at the center position, and there seems to be a lack of cohesion in their play. So they'll need to grind it out on both ends of the floor, relying heavily on their physical attributes.