Nuggets outlast Celtics in possible NBA Finals preview, 115-109, as Nikola Jokic stars with 32-point triple-double

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, making a ridiculous alley-oop pass to teammate Aaron Gordon for a dunk.

Jokic had a 32-point triple-double in the win, with 11 rebounds and assists as well.

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

Boston trailed by 11 with less than five minutes left, but cut the lead as Jrue Holiday’s consecutive three-pointers made the score 111-109.

But Jayson Tatum couldn’t convert an open corner 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and that was the closest Boston got.

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

Kristaps Porzingis also contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Jokic was helped 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 behind the first-place Timberwolves.